What is the point of the story about Mencius, King Xuan, and the ox?
A) That King Xuan is stingy for replacing an ox with a sheep, and this stinginess is why his people resent him.
B) That King Xuan has the capacity to feel benevolence for others but still needs to extend that benevolence to his people.
C) That King Xuan should have sacrificed the ox because that is what ritual propriety demands.
D) That King Xuan sets a bad example for his subjects by deviating from official rituals based on his personal feelings.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The story illustrates King Xuan's inherent benevolence, as shown by his compassion for the ox. Mencius uses this to argue that the king has the potential for benevolence towards his subjects, suggesting that he should extend this compassion more broadly to his governance and treatment of the people.

What Is the Point of the Story About Mencius, King