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Self-Discipline 107 When Yi Mok was the magistrate of Sŏch’ŏn, Governor Yi Annul evaluated his job performance with the following remark: “His integrity is clean like a jar of jade, and his benevolence is like the spring breeze.” CHAPTER : RULING THE HOUSEHOLD To Cultivate the Self First, Then the Household, and Finally the Country Is the Universal Principle of the World. He Who Wants to Rule a District Should First Rule His Household Well. Ruling a district is like ruling a country. Without ruling his household well, how can the magistrate rule a district? There are several essential points on ruling a household well. First, he must observe the law about the limit on household members whom he is allowed to take with him; second, he must make sure that his carriage is humble and modest; third, he must be frugal in consuming food; fourth, the quarters of his spouse must be stern and dignified ; fifth, solicitations and requests for favors must not be allowed; sixth, he must maintain integrity in purchasing goods. Unless he succeeds in establishing control with regard to these six requirements, the failure of his administration is predictable. According to the Supplement to the National Code, “He among the magistrates who takes with him a number of household members that exceeds the limit stipulated by the law, and he who secretly commits adultery with female slaves belonging to the government, must be searched out and stripped of his office .” If we reflect on this matter, our national law prohibits taking an excessive number of household members; nevertheless, it does not provide any specific number. Therefore, it is necessary to make provisions on the appropriate number of household members to be taken. The family members allowed to accompany the magistrate should consist of his parents and spouse, and only one son among his children. Unmarried children, however, should be allowed to follow their father , regardless of their number. As for slaves, no more than one male and two female slaves should be allowed. Parents, spouse and children, and brothers are generally called “six close relatives ” [yukch’in]. If the magistrate takes to his post all his family members, as well as guests and slaves, carrying his ancestral tablets, his official duties will be obstructed because of the entanglement of his personal affairs and state affairs. 203. An official of the mid-Chosŏn period. His courtesy name was Munbaek, and his pen name Songgyo. He served as inspector general and chief royal secretary. 204. The idea of ruling the self derives from the Great Learning. He who wants to rule the country should cultivate himself first and then harmonize his family. Only when these two steps are successfully taken can he be ready to rule the state. 108 book II There was a good reason that wise magistrates in the old days did not allow their family to follow them to their posts. If his parents are advanced in age, the magistrate should exert himself to serve them. As to other matters, he should practice simplicity. According to the National Law, If the Magistrate Takes His Mother to His Post to Serve Her, the Government Pays the Expenses; However, in the Case of His Father, It Does Not Pay. There Is a Good Reason for This. If the magistrate’s father resides at the place where his son serves, the friends of his son will call him Ch’unbu, and subfunctionaries and servants will call him Taegam. If he is over sixty years old and depends on the support of his son, he has little choice but to follow his son; otherwise, it is not appropriate for him to follow his son lightly even if his son begs him to. If he indeed has little choice but to follow his son, he should make an arrangement that he will stay in one of the warm rooms of the inner quarters, and it is appropriate that he spend his days quietly, avoiding contact with the people outside . I have observed, however, that there is often an individual who, being ignorant of propriety, comes out to the office of his son in the outside. Taking his seat on the floor, he reproaches yamen clerks and government slaves [kwanno]. He teases entertaining girls, invites his guests, and even tries his hand at settling lawsuits and legal cases related to prison administration for money, creating disorder in state affairs. Thus he arouses complaints and resentment, and the whole...

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