You can't form a square if you don't follow the rules. In "rules", you originally meant compasses and rulers. Without compasses and rulers, you can't draw square and round objects. Later, it was extended that you must abide by certain moral standards in order to achieve something.

This sentence comes from the "chapter sentence from the building" in Mencius, and it is Mencius' cry for benevolent government to those in power. Moreover, this benevolent policy should be implemented in two aspects: first, "the law is supreme"; The second is to select talents.

First of all, the former French king asked the rulers to imitate the words and deeds and systems of wise kings of past dynasties. Confucius, Mencius and other Confucian scholars have always held deep respect for ancient sages and kings such as Yao Shunyu and taught their disciples by example.

However, there will be some limitations when the rulers advocate Yao and Shun, because after all, with the changes of the times, many systems may no longer be suitable and can't stick to the rules.

Second, choose talents. As the saying goes, a fence has three stakes, a hero has three gangs, and even a wise monarch needs the assistance of a wise minister when governing the country, otherwise even if you have the best ideas and policies, it will be difficult to implement them.

Mencius hoped that the monarch could fully respect and trust talents and talents to ensure the employment of people. Mencius' choice of sages mainly focuses on the relationship between "secular ministers" and "pro-ministers", that is, these sages must always be officials, have close ties with the king, have rich management experience and have both ability and political integrity, in order to really assist the king.