Xian Gao was a native of the State of Zheng. During the reign of Duke Mu of Zheng, seeing that the state was being pressured by Qin and Jin, Xian Gao chose to live in reclusion and not serve as an official, instead becoming a merchant.
Zi Zhang asked about clarity (or discernment). The Master said, “If insidious slander—like water slowly soaking in—and urgent, emotionally charged accusations—like a wound to the skin—cannot take hold with you, you may be called ming. If such slander and complaints find no traction in you, you may also be called farsighted.”
Meng Xianzi said:“A family that keeps a team of four horses for chariots should not concern itself with raising chickens and pigs for profit;a household entitled to cut ice for ancestral rites should not raise cattle and sheep for gain;a state possessing a hundred war chariots should not employ ministers who amass wealth through…
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 went to see King Hui of Liang, who said, “Venerable sir, you have traveled a thousand miles to see me – surely you must have some way to benefit my state?”