This chapter advocates cutting useless luxury spending to double national wealth. It sets utilitarian standards for daily goods and promotes early marriage to boost population, criticizing wars and heavy taxes that reduce residents.
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: “He who uses force under the guise of benevolence achieves hegemony. Hegemony requires a great state. But he who practices benevolence through virtue achieves true kingship – and kingship does not depend on size. King Tang ruled with only seventy li of territory; King Wen with only a hundred li.”