# Teng Wen Gong I: livelihood and division of work: summary

Examines a small state’s governance, livelihood, land, education and the division of work.

https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/mencius/chapter-05-teng-wen-gong-i-livelihood-and-division-of-work

## Source and summary

[Mencius · Teng Wen Gong I: livelihood and division of work](https://zh.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=%E5%AD%9F%E5%AD%90/%E5%85%A8%E8%A6%BD&oldid=2636978#%E6%BB%95%E6%96%87%E5%85%AC%E4%B8%8A)

> 滕文公為世子，將之楚，過宋而見孟子。孟子道性善，言必稱堯、舜。

Examines a small state’s governance, livelihood, land, education and the division of work.

## Editorial interpretation

The example below adapts this chapter’s questions to modern work. Evaluate it against the actual purpose and conditions; ancient politics, warfare or ethics do not establish business results.

## Business application

In a small business, compare everyone doing everything with divided roles, including handoff costs.

1. Choose one relevant case and record its objective, available resources, verified facts and unknowns.
2. Compare options using this chapter’s perspective; choose a limited trial, owner, deadline and a measure to assess the result.

Deliverable: A comparison using teng wen gong i: livelihood and division of work, with conditions for acting or declining.

## Limits

The summary selects main points rather than translating every sentence. The example is not a demonstrated business method; check it against stakeholders’ conditions and actual evidence.

## Validation question

How does this chapter’s perspective change the selected option or priority, and what further evidence could change the decision?

[Mencius: a guide to judgment and responsibility](https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/mencius)

[This material](https://sakimyto.com/classics-data/entries/mencius/chapter-05-teng-wen-gong-i-livelihood-and-division-of-work.en.md)

Updated: 2026-10-13 · v1.0.0