Mencius, the renowned Warring States thinker and inheritor of Confucius's teachings, championed governing through benevolence and righteousness while opposing war, leaving a profound legacy.
One year, hearing that King Hui of Wei was recruiting wise men, Mencius traveled a long and weary road to the state of Wei to seek an audience with the king.
King Hui of Liang met Mencius and said with great delight, "Master, you have come a thousand li to our state of Wei. Surely you will bring some benefit to our kingdom?"
Mencius shook his head and replied, "Your Majesty, forgive my frankness. I came to Wei because I heard you were recruiting talent to enrich the state and strengthen the army. But now you speak only of profit, which disappoints me deeply. Consider this: if Your Majesty focuses on what benefits your kingdom, your ministers on what benefits their fiefs, and your people on what benefits themselves, everyone chasing personal gain—then the state is in danger."
Mencius continued, "In a state with ten thousand war chariots, the one capable of assassinating its ruler would be a minister with a thousand chariots. In a state with a thousand war chariots, the one capable of assassinating its ruler would be a minister with a hundred chariots. Only such ministers possess that many chariots and that much wealth. Yet, if they are shackled by selfish gain, they will never be satisfied. Thus, disasters multiply, rebellions erupt, and the state can never find peace. So, Your Majesty, if you are blinded by profit, danger awaits."
King Hui of Liang, finding Mencius's words reasonable, asked, "Then what do you think I should do, Master?"
"I believe Your Majesty should govern the state with benevolence and righteousness. Never has a benevolent man abandoned his parents, nor has a righteous man shown disrespect to his sovereign. With benevolence and righteousness, and by teaching these principles to ministers and commoners, the world will be at peace and the state will prosper."
Later, the idiom "Not Mind a Thousand Li" came to be used to describe not fearing a long journey to reach a destination.
Source: *Mencius*, Chapter "King Hui of Liang"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "不远千里" came to describe not fearing a long journey to reach a destination.