出尔反尔 — “To go back on one's word”

During the Warring States period, the state of Zou was at war with the state of Lu. Zou suffered a defeat, with many officers and soldiers killed or wounded. Duke Mu of Zou was very displeased. He asked Mencius, 'In this war, thirty-three of my officials were killed, yet none of the common people fought to save them. They watched their superiors being killed without offering rescue. This is truly infuriating. If I punish all these people, there are too many to kill. If I don't punish them, it's unbearable. What should I do?'

Mencius replied, 'Do you remember the year of famine? The elderly and weak starved to death in valleys and wilderness, and thousands of able-bodied people fled to seek refuge, yet your granaries were full and the treasury was abundant. The officials in charge of provisions did not report this severe disaster to you. They held high positions, showed no concern for the suffering of the people, and even harmed them.'

After recalling these painful past events, Mencius continued, 'Do you remember what Confucius's disciple Zeng Zi said? He warned, "Be vigilant! How you treat others is how others will treat you." Now the people have an opportunity for retaliation, and they are treating those officials in the same way.'

Mencius finally told Duke Mu of Zou, 'Therefore, Your Majesty, do not blame or punish them. If you implement benevolent governance, your people will cherish their officials and be willing to sacrifice their lives for them.'