| | Yu Lizzi said: "Greed and integrity are opposites, yet greed is an evil virtue; can greed truly exist?" A common man, greedy and thus losing his life; a high official or nobleman, greedy and thereby destroying his family; a ruler of the state, greedy and consequently losing his country and the world—these are all people who do not understand greed. Those who truly understand greed must be the sage alone. The sage's pursuit of benevolence, righteousness, morality, and virtue is like the petty person's pursuit of wealth, goods, gold, and jade. Just as a petty person never feels satisfied with wealth, goods, gold, or jade, the sage also never feels fully content with benevolence, righteousness, virtue, and morality. Therefore, Wenwang, Zhougong, and Kongzi were all great sages. Wenwang regarded the people as if they had injuries; from morning until midday, he had no time to eat in peace; Zhougong wished to embody the virtues of the three kings and implement four matters, continuing his work from night into day, sitting in readiness until dawn; Kongzi said: "Do I possess knowledge?" "I am without knowledge." How intense is the sage's 'greed' for benevolence, righteousness, moral conduct, and virtue! Therefore, if one were to apply the same desire for wealth, goods, and jade that petty people have toward material things, but instead direct it toward benevolence, righteousness, and virtue, then confusion can become clarity, madness can become wisdom—yet ordinary people are unable to do so. Therefore, people are greedy for wealth and jade but consider themselves upright in matters of benevolence and virtue. This leads the people throughout the world to label greed as an evil virtue and despise it—this is the fault of petty individuals."
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