Today’s news:

Gov. on S. Corzine
signed into law a measure repealing New Jersey’s death penalty on
Monday, making the state the first in a generation to abolish capital
punishment.

     Confucius would be happy.  As I have argued elsewhere, Confucianism maintains a general aversion to the death penalty; not absolute, especially for Mencius, but strong enough that a formal legal ban sounds about right  (If a truly evil person was unlawfully but justifiably killed, leniency could be demonstrated in sentencing of the perpetrator…).  Here is perhaps the most famous statement  along these lines from Confucius himself (Analects 12.19):

Asking Confucius about governing,
Lord Chi K’ang said: "What if I secure those who abide in the Way by
killing those who ignore the Way – will that work?"
   "How can you
govern by killing?" replied Confucius.  "Just set your heart on what is
virtuous and benevolent, and the people will be virtuous and
benevolent.  The noble-minded have the Integrity of wind, and little
people the Integrity of grass.  When the wind sweeps over grass, it
bends."

      Killing is unnecessary.  Exemplary rule is more effective in brining people to Humanity.  Although Confucius might not embrace the sanctity of life ideal in Governor Corzine’s statement, he would generally agree with its basic sentiment:

“Today New Jersey is truly evolving,” he said. “I believe society first
must determine if its endorsement of violence begets violence, and if
violence undermines our commitment to the sanctity of life. To these
questions, I answer yes.”

     Violence undermines our commitment to Humanity – and that would be enough for Confucius to sign on to the new New Jersey legislation.

    And that goes for the authors of the Tao Te Ching also, as suggested by this excerpt from passage 74 of that wonderful volume:

There is a regular executioner whose charge it is to kill.
To kill on behalf of the executioner is what is described as chopping wood on behalf of the master carpenter.
In chopping wood on behalf of the master carpenter, there are few who escape hurting their own hands instead.

 Death will come of its own accord, as Way (the ultimate executioner) unfolds.  No need to help it along.  Gov. Corzine can now rest assured that his hands will not be so bloodied.