People should be able to promote dao (the Way) rather than use dao to promote themselves. This is a well-known statement by the great ancient thinker Confucius (551-479BC). Dao refers to the righteous principles, i.e., the fundamental principles and universal rules (including morals and justice) that are observed by everything in the world including human beings. Human beings should take the responsibility to promote Dao, but not use dao as a means to gain personal visibility. The purpose of the statement is to establish the centrality of human beings. Human beings should not only respect dao, but also respect the agents that promote dao – human beings themselves.

Confucius said: “People should be able to promote dao, rather than use dao to promote themselves.” Therefore order and chaos,the rise and fall of a country all depend on people themselves. Disorder, chaos, and collapsing of a country are not inevitable. Rather, they are brought about by absurd and deviant behavior of its ruler.” (The History of the Han Dynasty)

Confucius said: “People should be able to promote dao, rather than use dao to promote themselves.” However, a person who respects dao does not merely respect books that promote dao, but rather the people who promote dao.” (The History of the Jin Dynasty)