During the Warring States period, someone asked Mencius how to be a sagely and enlightened ruler. Mencius replied that one could only govern the world with benevolent policies, explaining that favorable timing is less important than advantageous geographical conditions, and advantageous geographical conditions are less important than harmonious human relations.

He used warfare as an example: an enemy might rely on geographical advantages and weather conditions to defend a city. However, if the residents within the city resented tyrannical rule, they would rise up in rebellion, opening the gates to welcome the opposing side.