Shi Que was a minister of the state of Wei. His son Shi Hou joined a rebel named Zhou Yu in assassinating the duke. When the rebellion was crushed, Shi Hou fled to the state of Chen.
Shi Que could have protected his son. Instead, he sent assassins to Chen to kill him. A father ordering the death of his own child — not out of anger, but out of principle.
The historians recorded: "Shi Que was a minister of pure loyalty. 'Righteousness over kinship' — this is what it means."
石碏谏庄公曰：「臣闻爱子，教之以义方，弗纳于邪。」公不从。石厚从州吁弑君。石碏使人杀石厚于陈。君子曰：「石碏，纯臣也。大义灭亲，其是之谓乎！」
石碏谏庄公曰：「臣闻爱子，教之以义方，弗纳于邪。」公不从。石厚从州吁弑君。石碏使人杀石厚于陈。君子曰：「石碏，纯臣也。大义灭亲，其是之谓乎！」
Reflection & Analysis · 寓意解读
Core Wisdom
Justice does not recognize family names. The one who places principle above blood does not betray family — they honor a higher duty that protects all families.
The phrase "大义灭亲" (righteousness over kinship) is one of the most extreme moral claims in Chinese ethics. It asks: when your child commits a crime, do you protect them or deliver them to justice? Shi Que chose justice — and was praised for it.
This story has been debated for millennia. Some see Shi Que as a hero of impartiality; others see him as a monster. The tension between family loyalty and public duty is irreconcilable — and that is precisely what makes the story powerful. It forces the reader to ask: where is your line?