Confucius said it best " those who preside over the people should cherish the dearest aims and give the most correct lessons ,honoring the requirements of humanity by loving the people as their sons; then the people will use their utmost efforts to please their superiors. " Analects
Children owed a duty of obedience to their fathers, and men to their rulers. But this was a reciprocal obligation. The father had a responsibility to his children, and the ruler to his subjects. He must put their interests first.