The content of this section is to explain the benefits and importance of (having fun alone is not as good as having fun with everyone).

First half: Mencius heard from Zhuang Bao that King Xuan of Qi liked music, and Mencius said the first sentence: "Then the country of Qi has almost all its common people"; in the following days, Mencius paid a visit to King Xuan of Qi, and King Xuan of Qi told Mencius " I have no choice but to enjoy worldly pleasures." Mencius said the second sentence: "The country will be almost as common as its common people."

Then, the first question arises: Why is it that King Xuan is good at governing the country just because he likes "secular pleasures"? Firstly, it is to introduce the concept below that happiness alone is not as good as happiness among all; secondly, the king and the people are regarded as a whole, and all human beings in a country have the same likes and dislikes (music is just one example) ), this country will definitely be stable and unified. Then, the country will be almost governed.

Implication: If the country and even the world are to remain peaceful and unified, the key lies in whether the people can have the same likes, dislikes and concepts. Nowadays, with the huge population base, it is basically impossible for all people to unify their likes and dislikes in a true sense. The only thing that can be done is to establish the position of human nature (good and evil). Taking kind thoughts as the benchmark, different people have different ways of interpreting kind thoughts, and similar methods allow some people to gather together as a group to implement, develop, and pass on this kind thoughts (having kind thoughts) *** people). Different groups form a huge population base of good people in the world, moving in different directions towards the same great goal (the highest good), and then achieving stability and unity in a world-wide sense.

The second question: Since it is said that "the music of today is still the music of ancient times", it can only be achieved by the country's common people. Then, is Mencius really so sure that contemporary music is similar to ancient music? Or is it the same? The answer is yes, Mencius firmly believed that contemporary music is the same as ancient music.

Extension: Why can you say with such certainty and conviction that "the joy of today is still the joy of ancient times"? The type (category) of music you like is just one of the manifestations of the secular world, and the secular likes and dislikes of these cultures and arts, including music, can completely reflect the current secular climate. The people's customs are simple, kind, and loyal... The culture and art that the people love will definitely not be obscene, impetuous, or bad (the appearance of obscene and impetuous music is a sign of the destruction of a country in the eyes of saints)... And, King Xuan of Qi What I like is music based on such folk customs, which shows that the current social customs are correct, the king's understanding is correct, and the king and the people are happy together, and the country is moving forward together, so there is no need to worry about the country being unable to be properly governed.

Middle paragraph: Mencius used a question-and-answer method to let King Xuan himself understand the shallow meaning of the joy of being alone is not as good as the joy of everyone (from the perspective of human nature).

Extension: Many times, people don’t even understand the simplest principles. In fact, it's not that you don't really understand, but that there is a knot in your heart or brain that has not been untied, which leads to the fact that you can't get the correct answer no matter how you think about it. At this time, you might as well try to use the method of self-questioning and answering, using the simplest questions to answer the simplest answers (sometimes simple answers may also be the truth).

The second half: Mencius used examples related to the people to advise King Xuan of Qi that he should enjoy himself with the people in order to achieve long-term peace and order.

Extension: The interaction between people is mutual. No one can base his own interests on the losses of others. If he does so, he may lose more than he gains. If you want to live happily and freely in society, then don't forget to consider the vital interests of others when socializing. In this way, it will definitely be helpful for life, career, and study.