Five Criteria for Official Evaluation

This is an ancient Chinese framework attributed to Li Ke for comprehensively evaluating candidates for government positions.

Overview

Evaluate a person's character through five distinct lenses to determine their suitability for office.

The Five Criteria

1. 居视其所亲 - Observe who they associate with in daily life

   • Their choice of companions reveals their values
   • Look at their close friends and associates

2. 富视其所与 - Observe how they distribute wealth when prosperous

   • Do they share generously or hoard?
   • What causes do they support financially?

3. 达视其所举 - Observe whom they recommend when in power

   • Do they promote capable people or favorites?
   • Quality of their recommendations reflects judgment

4. 穷视其所不为 - Observe what they refuse to do when facing difficulties

   • What principles do they maintain under pressure?
   • What lines will they not cross?

5. 贫视其所不取 - Observe what they refuse to accept when poor

   • Do they maintain integrity despite poverty?
   • What bribes or ill-gotten gains do they reject?

Expected Outcome

These five criteria provide sufficient information to determine a candidate's true character and suitability for office without needing additional investigation.

Verification

1. Confirm that all five criteria were applied to the candidate, not just the most convenient or observable ones.
2. Validate that observations were gathered across different life conditions (daily life, prosperity, power, difficulty, and poverty) rather than a single snapshot.
3. Check that the evaluation reveals consistent character patterns across all five lenses before making the appointment decision.