From the opening of
《孟子·梁惠王上》 (Mencius, King Hui of Liang, 4th c. BCE):
孟子见梁惠王。
王曰: '
叟不远千里而来，
亦将有以利吾国乎?' (Mencius went to see King Hui of Liang. The king said, 'Old sir, you have not counted a thousand li too far to come — surely you bring profit for my state?'). Mencius's retort (
何必曰利？
亦有仁义而已矣 'Why must you speak of profit? There is benevolence and righteousness — nothing more') becomes the founding moment of Mencian political philosophy.
