Crafting a Guide: Establishing Legal Principles by Nguyen Truong To

Supplementary Reading: Establishing Legal Principles, Nguyen Truong To, Short 1

1. Question 1, Page 73 of Literature 11 Textbook.
According to Nguyen Truong To, the essence of law consists of: Regulations, authority, and directives (policies and laws) of the nation.
Nguyen Truong To asserts: 'No punishment within the country exceeds the law' and he provides evidence: 'In Western countries, those who have entered the legal profession only face promotion, never demotion. Even kings and courts cannot dismiss them from their positions'. This citation illustrates the author's high regard for the law and those knowledgeable in it, capable of utilizing the law to govern national affairs.

2. Question 2, Page 73 of Literature 11 Textbook.
According to Nguyen Truong To, regulations, authority, and directives are necessary for the nation's existence. Hence, the author affirms: “Regardless of rank or status, everyone must study the nation's laws”. Law governs everything. Without laws, how can the nation maintain its principles? Both officials and commoners must understand and abide by the law. What was true in the past is even more evident and resonant today.

3. Question 3, Page 73 of Literature 11 Textbook.
According to the author, Confucianism lacks respect for statutory law. Because: 'Knowing that the Way of Humanity is nothing greater than filial piety, nothing more necessary than ritual propriety. But Confucian texts merely speak emptily on paper, without enforcement or reward. Thus, despite extensive education, few have changed their nature or corrected their mistakes.' Furthermore, 'from ancient times until now, kings who govern effectively rely on understanding the law, while other texts serve as supplements. Without law in the country, no amount of books can govern the people'.

4. Question 4, Page 73 of Literature 11 Textbook.
Although the author's words express high regard for statutory law, according to him, statutory law and morality are closely intertwined. The author asserts: 'If laws are deemed good only for governance without inherent morality, then it is unaware that contravening the law is a crime, adhering to the law is virtuous. If one employs the core of justice within the law, then all rights, laws within the law are ethical. Is there any virtue greater than selfless justice?' Thus, according to Nguyen Truong To, the virtue of the law is precisely the principle of justice. That selfless justice is the foundation of morality within the law.

5. Continue reading further for Literature 11

- Critique of various books produced during feudal times: “Books merely record ancient stories of historical figures, discussions of the ancients’ wisdom, or refined literary works of scholars from antiquity, or the historical novels of those who claim knowledge. Among them are good and bad, and various authors have differing opinions, these literary works only serve to confuse the mind without contributing anything useful”. The author again takes words from Confucius to refute: “Recording empty words is not as meaningful as taking practical action”. This is also a method of reasoning, “reaping what one sows”. The author provides evidence “Consider how many scholars spend their entire lives reading books, theoretically their actions should set a standard for life, yet why do many lead lives and behave worse than rustic peasants?”
This statement poses the question: Why is this happening? The only answer can be because they were not educated in law. Thus, the need for law arises.
 

For more, study well for Literature 11

- Prepare the Practical Application of Word Meaning
- Prepare the Review of Medieval Vietnamese Literature

Additional Reading: Establishing Legal Principles, Nguyen Truong To, Short 2

Question 1: According to Nguyen Truong To, what areas does law encompass? How did he depict the practice of law in Western countries?
According to Nguyen Truong To, law encompasses the fields of: regulations, authority, and directives of the nation.
He depicted the practice of law in Western countries: “In Western countries, anyone admitted to the Bar for adjudicating lawsuits only faces promotions, never demotions. Even kings and courts cannot degrade them from their positions”.

Question 2: How does the author propose kings, officials, and people should regard the law? Why does he advocate this?
The author proposes kings, officials, and people must study law. Because with law, principles and national integrity can be upheld, maintaining the nation's existence.

Question 3: According to Nguyen Truong To, does Confucianism traditionally respect statutory law?
According to Nguyen Truong To, Confucianism traditionally does not respect statutory law.

Question 4: How does the author perceive the relationship between morality and statutory law?
The relationship between morality and statutory law is closely intertwined because going against the law is a crime, and justice within the law is morality.

Question 5: What is the effect of mentioning Confucius and the concept of morality, literature on the rhetorical art in the excerpt?
Mentioning Confucius and the concept of morality, literature has a profound impact on raising awareness of the importance of statutory law.

Additional Reading: Establishing Legal Principles, Nguyen Truong To, Short 3

Question 1: According to Nguyen Truong To, law encompasses the following areas: 

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