Confucius names Weizi, Jizi and Bigan the three benevolent men of the Shang. Though they took vastly different paths—fleeing, feigning madness, dying in remonstrance—all acted out of loyal care for their state, showing benevolence allows flexible expedient choices.
Han Feizi tells King Zhou’s wild drinking made everyone lose track of days. Ji Zi feigned ignorance to avoid danger.
Han Feizi tells Ji Zi feared King Zhou’s ivory chopsticks would spark endless luxury, foreseeing the dynasty’s fall.
Gongsun Chou asked Mencius, “If you should hold the power of government in Qi, could you achieve great deeds like Guan Zhong and Yanzi?”