Corruption fighters cite Confucius' teachings
THE ICAC yesterday won a powerful ally - ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius.
Presented with a dictum from the Confucian Academy, ICAC Commissioner Bertrand de Speville said the philosopher's teachings of justice, honesty and integrity were the same as the message taught by the commission some 2,500 years later.
Academy president Tong Yun-kai, who presented the dictum, personally wrote the calligraphy which represented the ICAC's successes and was intended to encourage its new ethics campaign.
'The dictum reads: 'Wealth and rank attained through immoral means have as much to do with me as passing clouds,' which emphasises that such wealth is menial to life, just like the passing clouds,' Mr Tong said.
'It has been said by a Nobel Prize winner that if mankind wants a smooth transition into the next century, then he must reflect on and study well Confucius' thoughts 2,500 years ago.' Mr Tong said the ancient sage did not object to the pursuit of wealth so long as it was accumulated through righteous and proper means.
'To make profits in proper ways with persistence and integrity is Confucius' position and when we all abide by his doctrines an atmosphere of integrity will be formed gradually,' Mr Tong told the commissioner.
Mr de Speville said the dictum signified the evils of corruption which the ICAC wanted to emphasise in its educational efforts.
'Confucius once declared the ultimate purpose of Government is the welfare of the common people,' the commissioner said. 'We aim to promote the values of honesty, fairness and integrity in all sectors of society and in individual citizens.
'The message is clear - corruption is evil and it doesn't pay.'
