SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Bo Yi

  • Mencius – Chapter 13.22

    •

    Ana

    Mencius praises King Wen’s benevolent governance centered on supporting elders. Fair land policies, sericulture and livestock farming secure seniors’ silk and meat. Wise rulers caring for the aged draw virtuous men to their realms.

  • Mencius – Chapter 12.6

    •

    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.

  • Mencius – Chapter 10.1

    •

    Ana

    Mencius portrays three archetypal sages: pure Bo Yi, mission-driven Yi Yin, and accommodating Liu Xia Hui. He regards Confucius as the timely sage who balances all virtues, a fully accomplished sage uniting wisdom and moral strength with musical and archery metaphors.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 14.5

    •

    Juan

    Han Feizi rejects Confucian benevolence. Strict laws and merit-based rewards secure order; empty loyalty and virtue are useless.

  • Preface to Biographies of High-Minded Scholars

    •

    Ana

    Confucius said, “When the hidden virtuous are elevated, the hearts of all people under heaven turn to them.” Mr. Hongya established lofty principles in the age of the Sovereigns of High Antiquity; Xu You and Shan Juan did not lower their integrity during the reigns of Tang and Yu. Therefore, the I Ching contains…

  • Mencius – Chapter 7.13 King Wen’s secret to winning the world

    •

    Ana

    Mencius said: “Bo Yi fled from the tyrant King Zhou and lived by the shores of the North Sea.Taigong (Jiang Ziya) also fled from Zhou and lived by the shores of the East Sea.”

  • Mencius – Chapter 6.10 Chen Zhong’s ascetic morality

    •

    Ana

    Kuang Zhang asked Mencius: “Isn’t Chen Zhongzi truly an honest and incorruptible man? He lived in Yuling and once went three days without food – so weak he couldn’t hear or see. There was a plum tree by a well; worms had eaten more than half the fruit. He crawled over, ate a few…

  • Mencius – Chapter 3.9 Virtue of the Middle Way

    •

    Ana

    Mencius said: “Bo Yi would not serve a ruler he did not approve of, nor befriend anyone he deemed unworthy.”

  • Mencius – Chapter 3.2 The Unmoved Heart

    •

    Ana

    Gongsun Chou asked Mencius: “If you should be the prime minister in Qi and be able to put your principles into practice, it would be no wonder that Qi achieve the hegemony or even true kingship. In such a momentous situation, would your mind be stirred?”