Chen Zhen asked Mencius: “The other day in Qi, the king offered you one hundred yi of fine gold, and you refused it. But in Song, you accepted seventy yi, and in Xue, fifty yi. This seems contradictory: If refusing the gift in Qi was right, then accepting in Song and Xue must be…
Mencius said: “Bo Yi would not serve a ruler he did not approve of, nor befriend anyone he deemed unworthy.”
Mencius said: “Zilu was delighted whenever someone pointed out his faults. Yu the Great would bow in gratitude whenever he heard wise and virtuous words.”
Mencius said: “Is the arrow-maker really less humane than the armor-maker?”
Mencius said: “Everyone possesses a heart that cannot bear to see others suffer. The ancient sage-kings had this very ‘heart of not bearing the suffering of others,’ and thus they implemented policies that reflected that compassion.
Mencius said: “If a state respects the virtuous and employs the capable, placing outstanding individuals in office, then scholars throughout the land will rejoice and wish to serve in its court.”
Mencius said, “Benevolence brings glory, whereas its absence leads to disgrace. Now people hate disgrace and benevolence, just like those who hate dampness but live in a low-lying area.