Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature
Mencius refutes the rumor that Yi Yin lobbied Tang by cooking. Yi Yin treasured moral integrity over riches. He answered three summons out of duty to enlighten all, stressing one cannot rectify others if they degrade themselves.
Rebel Bixi invited Confucius, who intended to go despite Zilu’s protest citing his old moral rule. Confucius claimed virtuous hearts stay untainted amid corruption and refused to stay idle like a useless gourd, showing his urge to spread the Dao though he never actually went.