Li Lou I · Passage 16 / 28 · 孟子 4A.16
Mencius 4A.16: respect and frugality do not consist
Mencius argues that real respect and frugality are measured not by mannered appearance but by whether one refrains from despising and plundering others.
孟子曰：「恭者不侮人，儉者不奪人。侮奪人之君，惟恐不順焉，惡得爲恭儉？恭儉豈可以聲音笑貌爲哉？」
Mencius said, 'The respectful do not despise others. The economical do not plunder others. The prince who treats men with despite and plunders them, is only afraid that they may not prove obedient to him - how can he be regarded as respectful or economical? How can respectfulness and economy be made out of tones of the voice, and a smiling manner?'
Priority note
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Central question
Why does Mencius say that respect and frugality cannot be reduced to tone of voice and smiling expression?
Direct answer
Because if a person seems gentle and plain while still despising and plundering others, then so-called respect and frugality are only costume. Mencius pulls virtue back from performance into the question of whether real harm has changed.
First principle
The truth of virtue is tested first not by expression management, but by whether it changes the actual structure of harm between people.
Why it matters
This passage serves searches around virtue signaling, respect, and Mencius on false humility. It translates strongly into modern ethical language.
Further reading
What this passage is doing
This is passage 16 of 28 in Li Lou I. The cleanest entry point is "The respectful do not despise others". In context, it works as part of Mencius's argument about self-examination, disorder, and keeping the way and can be read alongside Human nature.
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Li Lou I often approaches disorder through self-examination and the standards for keeping the way.
Related principles
Citation note
Do not read it as hostility to politeness. Mencius is not abolishing courtesy; he is refusing to let courtesy function as a cover for contempt and plunder.