Mencius's Message to the People of China

There's something virtuous about poverty whereas there's much less of that feeling in China even though you know Confucius says you shouldn't try to gain wealth. Mencius among other intellectuals of his time refused to serve any king in any other role or to be bought by any of them instead he remained an independent teacher who taught many students and tutored kings and nobles. When kings and dukes sought his tutoring he confronted them critically urging them to examine their own conduct in order to return to jian towards their people.