How a Worthy Scholar Should Be Supported

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Wan Zhang asked, “Why do gentlemen without office not lodge with the feudal lords?”

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Mencius replied, “They dare not. It is proper for a lord who has lost his state to seek lodging with another lord; it is not proper for a gentleman to lodge with a lord.”

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Wan Zhang asked, “If a ruler sends him grain, does he accept it?” Mencius replied, “He does.”

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“On what principle does he accept it?” “A ruler is expected to provide relief to the common people.”

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Wan Zhang asked, “Why accept what is relief but refuse what is a gift?” Mencius said, “He dares not accept it.” Wan Zhang asked, “May I ask why he dares not?”

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Mencius said, “Gatekeepers and night watchmen have regular duties for which they receive support from their superiors. To accept a superior’s gift without holding a regular post is considered disrespectful.”

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Wan Zhang asked, “If a ruler sends him grain and he accepts it, may the support continue regularly?” Mencius said, “Duke Mu of Lu repeatedly sent inquiries and cooked meat to Zisi.”

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Zisi was displeased. At last he had the messenger escorted beyond the main gate, then faced north, bowed twice, and refused the gift, saying, “Only now do I realize that my lord keeps me, Ji, like a dog or horse!” From then on, the court stopped sending him provisions.

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“If a ruler admires worthy people but neither appoints nor properly supports them, can he be said to value them?”

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Wan Zhang asked, “How should a ruler support a gentleman properly?” Mencius said, “The first delivery should be sent in the ruler’s name, and the gentleman should bow twice and accept it.”

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“Afterward, the granary official should continue sending grain and the cook meat, without each delivery being presented in the ruler’s name. Zisi thought that having to bow repeatedly for a few pots of meat was no proper way to support a gentleman.”

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“When Yao treated Shun this way, he had nine sons serve him, married two daughters to him, and provided officials, cattle, sheep, and granaries to support him while he still worked in the fields. Only afterward did he appoint him to the highest position. This is how rulers honor the worthy.”

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