Wǔlún

Wu lun translates to the 'Fine Cardinal Relationships', or the five most important relationships of one's life. Each relationship requires duties on both ends, and they all rely on the Five Constants in order to work.

Ruler-Subject

The relationship between the ruler was typically the Chinese emperor and his (once her) people. Confucius says that rulers should never rule with force and instead with virtue. Subjects should also not be blindly loyal, if they (collectively) feel that the ruler is unjust, the ruler's Mandate of Heaven (divine approval) fades. The Mandate is based on whether or not the subjects are happy with the current emperor in charge. Ruler-Subject still applies today with political leaders and CEOs of companies.

Father-Son

The Father-Son relationships is the relationship between the parent and the child. (Confucius used gendered language because he lived in a feudal and dominantly patriarchal society + classical texts were originally written exclusively for male nobles, though this relationship also applied to mothers/daughters)

The father should show kindness whereas the son should show reverence for his father. Confucius stressed that feeding wasn't just about care, it was more than that. "Nowadays ‘filial’ means feeding parents. But even dogs and horses are fed—without reverence, what’s the difference?" He also thought that fathers, alongside kindess, should educate and nurture for their sons.

Husband-Wife

The husband should be righteous while the wife should have devotion towards her husband. According to the Book of Rites, the couple is one body meaning that the husband should treat his wife with respect. Wives were seen as domestic, though Confucius held a deep respect for wise women, most notably his mother.

Elder-Younger Sibling

The Elder should treat their younger sibling with gentleness while the younger sibling with submission. Word used is 'sibling', though this applies to all elders those younger than them.

Friend-Friend

This relationship is the only one that isn't tied to a hierarchy, but instead based on mutual moral growth. Confucious taught that you 'shouldn't have friends inferior to yourself', and instead make friends with those you can learn from and correct eachother's faults.