The Book of Odes says:“The royal domain extends a thousand li – this is where the people find their abode.”
What is meant by “making one’s intentions sincere” is not deceiving oneself. It is like hating a foul odor or loving a beautiful color – this is what is called self-satisfaction (or inner authenticity). Therefore, the gentleman must be especially vigilant when alone.
Gong Du Zi (Gongdu Zi) asked Mencius: “Everyone in the state says Kuang Zhang is unfilial. Yet you not only associate with him but also treat him with great courtesy. May I ask why?”
Mencius said: “A truly noble person does not always insist on keeping every promise or carrying every action to completion – what matters is whether it aligns with righteousness.”
Mencius said: “Rituals that are not truly ritual, and righteousness that is not truly righteous – these are things a noble person will never do.”
Mencius said: “When the whole world is delighted and ready to submit to him, Shun regarded this universal acclaim as lightly as a blade of grass or a speck of dust. Only Shun could do this.”