Confucius believed that inferiors owed which of the following to their superiors?

• A. Courage
• B. Filial Piety
• C. Loyalty
• D. Obedience

Answer: (C)

In Confucian thought, social harmony rests on proper relationships where each person has a defined duty within a hierarchy. Inferiors owe loyalty to their superiors because loyalty creates a faithful, principled commitment that sustains the ruler–subject or elder–younger bond and reinforces trustworthy governance. Filial piety is a foundational virtue focused on honoring one’s parents and ancestors, which is specific to family ties rather than all superior-subordinate relationships. Obedience describes following orders, but loyalty goes deeper—it's a steadfast fidelity to the relationship and its moral obligations, not just compliance. So loyalty best captures the obligation inferiors have toward their superiors in Confucian ethics.