During the Warring States period, Mencius, also known as Ke, was a native of the State of Zou (currently Zouxian County in Shandong). He was an ancient Chinese thinker and educator who advocated that a noble person should possess “great righteousness,” equally able to “win people over with virtue,” and “the benevolent is invincible in the world.”
During his time, Mencius traveled to various states. He was appointed as the guest official in the State of Qi.
Mencius advises the King
King Xuan of Qi once asked: “Can you tell me about the hegemony of Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin during the Spring and Autumn periods?” Mencius replied: “I prefer not to discuss the dominance of Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin specifically. If Your Majesty insists, let me talk about the kingly way of unifying the country through morality!”
The King asked: “How can morality unify the country?” Mencius said: “Everything should be done to ensure people live in peace and happiness; by unifying the country in this way, no one can stop it!”
King Xuan said: “Can a person like me make people live in peace and happiness?” Mencius replied: “Yes, you can.”
King Xuan asked: “How do you know that I can?” Mencius said: “I once heard a story where you were sitting in the hall one day when someone came past leading a cow. You asked: ‘Where are you taking the cow?’ The person replied: ‘To be sacrificed for the bell.’ You then said: ‘Release it! I cannot bear to see it trembling in fear, like an innocent person sentenced to death.’ The person asked: ‘So are we not offering sacrifice for the bell?’ You said: ‘How can we not have sacrifice for the bell? Use a sheep instead!’ Do you remember this incident?”
The King responded: “Yes, that incident did happen.” Mencius said: “Your Majesty’s compassionate heart can unify the country. The common people may think you are stingy after hearing about this incident. On the other hand, I know it is not stinginess but compassion that motivated you.”
King Xuan said: “Indeed, some common people think that way! Despite our state of Qi not being large, how could I be so stingy and not bear to part with a cow? Is it truly out of compassion that I acted that way?” Mencius said: “Your Majesty, don’t blame the common people for thinking you are stingy. They only see you using a small sheep to replace a large cow; how could they understand its deeper meaning? Moreover, if Your Majesty pities the innocent, what difference is there between a cow and a sheep?”
The King said: “You are right! I cannot explain it either, and I am not stingy! The common people may have their reasons for thinking that way.” Mencius said: “Correct! Your Majesty’s compassion manifests kindness simply because you saw the cow, not the sheep. Seeing it as a living being, you couldn’t bear to harm it. In reality, both the sheep and the cow are pitiful.”
Mencius continued: “However, as for the common people, why can Your Majesty’s kindness extend to animals, but not to those of your people? It’s like having the strength to lift three thousand kilograms, but not being able to lift a feather, or having the vision to see the finest details of autumn hair, but not seeing a cart of firewood right in front of you. The people cannot feel your grace, so naturally, they would say you are stingy. Your Majesty, it’s not that you cannot unify the country through morality; rather, you are unwilling to do so!”
King Xuan asked: “What’s the difference between being unwilling and unable to do something?” Mencius replied: “If one is asked to carry Mount Tai under one’s arm and jump over the North Sea, one says: ‘I can’t do it!.’ Then, that proves one is realistically unable to do it. If someone is asked to break a twig for an elderly person, one says: ‘I can’t do it!.’ That is being rather unwilling and unable to do it. The sages of ancient times far surpassed ordinary people because they were good at promoting their virtues.”
Mencius continued: “Your Majesty does not want to do it because your greatest desire now is to conquer the country and dominate the vassal states without putting the people’s interests first. However, if you seek to satisfy your desire for country domination through force, you will fail to achieve your goal and bring calamity upon yourself. Think about it! Do you want to mobilize the entire state’s army, risking the lives of soldiers to create enmity with other states and bring disaster to the people? Will that truly bring you peace of mind?”
King Xuan said: “No, why would I find peace of mind in doing such things? I want to fulfill my greatest wish, but I never thought things would be this serious! Now that you have explained it to me, I understand.” Mencius said: “Those who find joy in the happiness of the people will have the people finding joy in the happiness of their ruler; those who share the worries of the people will have the people sharing the worries of their ruler. It is simply impossible if one can share joy and sorrow with the entire country but cannot implement benevolent governance as part of the royal path. By attracting people from afar, ensuring the well-being of those nearby, and having the people of the entire country support and love you, wouldn’t you desire such a situation?”
King Xuan delightfully responded: “Your proposal is excellent! I will try it, and I hope you will assist me in achieving this goal.”
With patience and skillful guidance, Mencius explained the royal path King Xuan needed to follow based on his compassionate nature, ultimately winning the King’s genuine acceptance. He abandoned using force for conquest and chose benevolent governance instead. The state of Qi gradually prospered, and the people all benefited and felt Mencius’s grace and virtue.
Translated by Joseph Wu and edited by Maria
Follow us on X, Facebook, or Pinterest
