The chapter opens with a quotation from Master Kong Fuzi, also known as Confucius: "Guide them by edicts, keep them in line with punishments, and the people will stay out of trouble but will have no sense of shame. Guide them by virtue, keep them in line with the rites, and they will, besides having a sense of shame, reform themselves." (Confucius, The Analects, II, 3) What does this passage suggest about Confucius’s views?

Confucius's thought of lawlessness was in the sense that he believed that contrary if or without peoples regard for the rule of law, lawlessness, violence and other social negative vices will take a strong hold. it will lead to great uncontrolled acts by the law, unbridled, unruly; unrestrained, illegal, and generally lawless activity.

Hence, the narrative in the passage suggests that Confucius's views are,

- Confucius was concerned by lawlessness within his society.

-Confucius felt that leaders needed to understand the innate nature of the people over whom they ruled.

-Confucius believed that if leaders conducted themselves well, the people would come to understand the difference between right and wrong