Mencius stresses prioritizing essentials: wise men focus on urgent tasks, benevolent ones prioritize kin and worthies. Yao and Shun followed this. He criticizes those fussing over trivial rituals while ignoring core mourning and dining etiquette fundamentals.
A man confuses Wuluzi by pitting survival needs against minor rituals. Mencius rejects this unequal comparison, using gold and wood analogies, and counters with immoral extreme acts to prove ritual morality must never be discarded for self-interest.
Man must keep his mind wide open, so that righteousness can take up its dwelling there.
Do not scramble for favour and profit; do not lag behind in virtue and accomplishments.
Those who preserve their moral integrity suffer only fleeting loneliness. But eternal wretchedness awaits those who toady to the powerful.
There once lived a scholar by the name of Dongguo, who was known for his compassion.