Daoist scholar Wang Dou criticized King Xuan of Qi for favoring sycophants over capable talents. He forced the king to greet him respectfully and used a silk analogy to expose misplaced priorities. The king repented, appointed worthy men, and brought Qi prosperity.
Bai Gui claims his flood control surpasses Yu the Great. Mencius disagrees: Yu diverted floods to the seas naturally, while Bai Gui channels floods into neighboring states. Such harmful zero-sum tactics are detested by benevolent men.