Question

Read this passage from The Great Learning, an important text containing many of Confucius's words and teachings.

Answer 1

The real answer to this question is C

Answer 2

The correct answer is C. A ruler should make sure not to reward people who behave badly.

By positing this, Confucius is arguing that if a ruler wants to have authority over the population then s/he should be fair at paying attention and rewarding good people and not the people that behave badly, like thieves, murderers, and cheaters. Confucius believes that most of the population follow moral leaders, and those leaders who reward immorality and corruption then tend to lose power and authority.