SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

  • Mencius – Chapter 12.11

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    Ana

    Bai Gui claims his flood control surpasses Yu the Great. Mencius disagrees: Yu diverted floods to the seas naturally, while Bai Gui channels floods into neighboring states. Such harmful zero-sum tactics are detested by benevolent men.

  • Mencius – Chapter 12.10

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    Ana

    Bai Gui proposes a 5% tax rate. Mencius argues this suits only primitive tribes lacking formal governance. Civilized central states need moderate taxation to sustain rituals and officials; overly light or heavy taxes equal barbarism or tyranny.

  • Mencius – Chapter 12.9

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    Ana

    Mencius condemns ministers who boost rulers’ wealth and military power as people’s robbers. They aid tyrants if rulers disregard benevolence. States built on such utilitarian force lack moral legitimacy and will collapse quickly.

  • Mencius – Chapter 12.8

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    Ana

    Mencius opposes Shenzi’s military expansion plan. Deploying untrained folk for war harms people. Ancient fiefdoms followed hundred-li rituals; seizing land through bloodshed violates benevolence. Ministers ought to guide rulers toward virtue, not conquest.

  • Mencius – Chapter 12.7

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    Ana

    Mencius depicts a moral political decline: Five Hegemons betrayed the Three Kings’ ideal order; current lords break the Kuiqiu Alliance’s five rules. Ministers who abet rulers’ misdeeds bear graver guilt than those who merely tolerate evil.

  • Mencius – Chapter 12.6

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    Ana

    Debater Chunyu Kun questions Mencius’ resignation for lacking visible achievements. Mencius argues virtuous men pursue benevolence in diverse ways, stresses worthy officials secure state survival, and notes gentlemen’s subtle moral choices elude common utilitarian judgment.