Mencius lays out six ascending moral stages: good, sincere, beautiful, great, sage, divine. He judges Yue Zhengzi only reaches the first two levels, reminding learners moral cultivation demands steady progress toward higher spiritual realms.
Duke Ping of Lu was about to set out when his favorite courtier, Zang Cang, asked: “Usually, Your Lordship informs the officials of your destination before leaving. Now your carriage is ready, yet no one knows where you’re going. May I ask?”