Li Lou II · Passage 11 / 33 · 孟子 4B.11
Mencius 4B.11: the great person follows righteousness
Mencius is not attacking truthfulness or resolve, but subordinating them to a higher standard. When detached from righteousness.
孟子曰：「大人者，言不必信，行不必果，惟義所在。」
Mencius said,'The great man does not think beforehand of his words that they may be sincere, nor of his actions that they may be resolute - he simply speaks and does what is right.'
Priority note
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Central question
Why does Mencius say that the great person need not make every word absolutely literal or every action mechanically resolute, but only go where righteousness lies?
Direct answer
Because verbal consistency and resolute action are not the highest principle. If a person clings to seeming trustworthy or decisive without asking what is right, he turns means into ends. Greatness lies not in frozen form, but in staying with righteousness through changing situations.
First principle
Secondary virtues, once detached from the highest principle, can begin to damage that very principle. Real steadiness is not unchanged form, but unlost direction.
Why it matters
This passage fits strong search intent around integrity, consistency, and what Mencius means by following righteousness rather than literalism.
Further reading
What this passage is doing
This is passage 11 of 33 in Li Lou II. The cleanest entry point is "The great man does not think beforehand of…". In context, it works as part of Mencius's argument about seeing people clearly, ritual restraint, and governing relationships and can be read alongside Flood-like qi.
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Li Lou II offers concrete judgments about seeing people, handling relationships, and the discipline of ritual.
Related principles
Citation note
Do not read it as permission for casual dishonesty. Mencius is not cancelling trustworthiness, but refusing to elevate literal consistency above righteousness itself.