Mencius formally resigned his post (as guest minister in Qi state) and was preparing to return home.
Mencius visited Pinglu in the state of Qi and said to its local magistrate, Kong Juxin: “If one of your soldiers who stands guard with a halberd deserts his post three times in a single day, would you dismiss him?”
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.