Confucianism sees a close relationship between rites and music, both of which are indispensable for maintaining a country’s stability and social harmony. Rites are used to ensure restraint and differentiation, and music is used to ensure harmony and unity of mind. The belief that music harmonizes the voices of the people states the functions of music. As sounds arise from the minds of different people, huge differences in such voices reflect the richness of their mental activities. People in different situations who have different voices naturally differ in their emotions and feelings. When music is employed to harmonize voices, people in different situations will be influenced and moved by it, and this will lead to unity in public mood and eventual harmony in the entire society.

Rites restrain the minds of the people, while music harmonizes their voices. Decrees are issued to implement rites and spread music; penalties are meted out to prevent misconduct. When rites, music, decrees, and penalties go hand in hand without conflicting one another, the benevolent rule is ensured. (The Book of Rites)

When music-based moral improvement is fully exercised, there will be no dissatisfaction among the public; when rites are fully observed, there will be no conflict among the people. Governing the country with kindness means raising public morality through rites and music. (The Book of Rites)