Hanzi

King Hui of Liang met Mencius and said enthusiastically, "Sir, you have come to our state of Wei, not considering a thousand li too far. You must be bringing benefits to my country, right?" Mencius replied, "Your Majesty, why must you speak of profit as soon as you open your mouth? Benevolence and righteousness are enough. If the king says 'How can I benefit my state?', the high officials say 'How can I benefit my fiefdom?', and the scholars and common people say 'How can I benefit myself?', then with everyone, high and low, pursuing private gain, it will be perilous."

Mencius continued, "In a state capable of deploying ten thousand chariots, those who assassinate their ruler are surely the households of high officials capable of deploying one thousand chariots. In a secondary state capable of deploying one thousand chariots, those who assassinate their ruler are surely the households of high officials capable of deploying one hundred chariots. The high officials of a great state can obtain a thousand chariots from a state of ten thousand chariots, and the high officials of a secondary state can obtain a hundred chariots from a state of one thousand chariots. The wealth of these officials cannot be said to be small, yet they will never be satisfied. Therefore, you must no longer advocate private gain."

King Hui of Liang was deeply moved upon hearing this and anxiously asked, "Then, Sir, what do you think should be done?" Mencius said, "Those who speak of benevolence have never abandoned their parents, and those who speak of righteousness have never disrespected their ruler. Therefore, Your Majesty, it is enough for you to speak of benevolence and righteousness; why speak of profit?"