# Shun — Analects character guide

> Shun in Analects by Confucius.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Shun, XX Shun

**First appearance:** 0000-book-i-hsio-r

## Who they are

A legendary sage-king, often cited by Confucius as a model of virtuous governance.

## In the story

### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxviii)

Mentioned as a sage who was still solicitous about such matters.

### [Book VIII: T’âi-Po](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-viii-t-i-po)

Cited as an example of a ruler who governed well with five ministers and held the empire as if it were nothing.

### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xviii)

One of the ancient sage-emperors whose possession of the empire is praised.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xx)

Mentioned as having five ministers, leading to good governance.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/iv)

The sage-king Shun is praised for governing efficiently without exertion, merely occupying his royal seat with reverence.

### [Yâo Yüeh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-xx-y-o-y-eh)

Receives the Heaven-determined order of succession from Yâo and is charged to hold fast the due Mean.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/i)

Shun receives the mandate and later uses the same language in giving charge to Yü, continuing the tradition of virtuous succession.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/shun
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters