During the Warring States period, King Xuan of Qi wished to become a hegemon like Duke Huan of Qi. He sought advice from Mencius on how to achieve this.

Mencius told him that he should unify the world through the power of benevolence and righteousness. He also advised the king to observe the state of affairs and public sentiment with extreme clarity, discerning even the minutest details.

Mencius emphasized that it wasn't a matter of whether the king could do it, but whether he wished to do it.