This chapter calculates war’s massive human and material losses. It refutes pro-war arguments with cases of Wu and Zhi Bo, showing conquest brings net loss, and urges rulers learn from historical failures to reject offensive wars.
This chapter denounces aggressive wars. By escalating crimes from petty theft to mass killing, Mozi exposes people’s moral hypocrisy: they condemn minor crimes yet glorify invasive warfare as righteous, lacking clear justice judgment.
This chapter defends universal love against doubters. It uses rulers’ power to shape conduct as evidence, cites Yu, King Wen and King Wu to prove equal mutual love is workable, the sole cure for wars and all social harms.
This chapter elaborates Mohist “Conforming to Superiors”. It argues chaotic pre-civilization stemmed from conflicting moral standards, then outlines a merit-based hierarchical system unifying all judgments upward, ultimately aligning with Heaven to eliminate disasters.
This chapter records a debate between Mozi and Cheng Fan on music. Mozi argues elaborate court music worsens governance; sage kings only kept minimal music, as grand musical indulgence wastes resources and distracts rulers from state duties.
This Mohist chapter advocates moderation in five spheres: housing, clothing, food, transport and concubines. Sage kings prioritized practical utility, while contemporary rulers’ extravagant ornamentation drains labor and wealth, triggering poverty, social unrest and population decline.