Most people will submit to authority; very few will be moved by righteousness.  Consider the example of Confucius, who was one of the supreme sages in world history.  He had exemplary actions and he illustrated the Way—yet as he traveled about through many areas, he only attracted 70 main disciples. 

It is very uncommon to see reverence for benevolence and loyalty to righteousness, and it is rather difficult for one to act thus.  So in all the wide areas that Confucius traveled, he gathered only 70 main disciples; and only one person—Confucius himself—was really righteous and benevolent.

Now consider the example of Duke Ai of Lu.  He was a so-so ruler, but when he rose to power as the head of the state, there was nobody throughout the territory who was unobedient to him. 

People will by nature submit to authority.  Anyone who seizes authority can easily make people submit.  This is why Confucius stayed a citizen, and Duke Ai stayed as his ruler.  It’s not like Confucius was prompted by the righteousness of Duke Ai.  It was simply that Duke Ai exercised authority, and thus he caused Confucius acknowledge his preeminence.

      In modern times, it is common for scholars that are advising a ruler, to neglect recommending him to use authority, even though it is a sure way to effectiveness.  Instead, they are adamant in telling him that he should practice benevolence and righteousness in order to be a real ruler.  This is like asking him to be like Confucius, and expecting most people to become like Confucius’s disciples.  Having an approach like this will most likely lead to poor results.