knowing when to stop

  • Mencius – Chapter 14.23

    When Qi suffers famine, people expect Mencius to urge the king to open granaries again. He uses Feng Fu’s story: the ex-tiger fighter reverted to old deeds to please villagers, yet other scholars mocked him, showing Mencius sticks to his official retreat principles.

  • The Analects – Chapter 12.23

    Zigong asked about friendship. The Master said, “Give loyal advice and guide gently; if he does not accept it, stop—do not humiliate yourself.”