Confucianism

Xiao and Loyalty

Filial piety is training for loyalty to ruler and state.

The virtue cultivated in xiao - respect for authority, dedication to duty, care for others - transfers to the public realm as loyalty to the state. Family is training ground for citizenship.

Serve your parents with xiao; this can be transferred to serving the ruler.

Classic of Filial Piety, Xiaojing

Private virtue prepares for public duty.

Xiaojing