# Li Lou I: standards and execution: summary

Examines standards, humane rule, reflection and responsibility, noting that good intentions or rules alone are insufficient.

https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/mencius/chapter-07-li-lou-i-standards-and-execution

## Source and summary

[Mencius · Li Lou I: standards and execution](https://zh.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=%E5%AD%9F%E5%AD%90/%E5%85%A8%E8%A6%BD&oldid=2636978#%E9%9B%A2%E5%A9%81%E4%B8%8A)

> 孟子曰：「離婁之明，公輸子之巧，不以規矩，不能成方員一作「圓」。師曠之聰，不以六律，不能正五音。堯舜之道，不以仁政，不能平治天下。今有仁心仁聞而民不被其澤，不可法於後世者，不行先王…

Examines standards, humane rule, reflection and responsibility, noting that good intentions or rules alone are insufficient.

## 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

After creating a standard, check the materials, training and authority required to use it in actual work.

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 li lou i: standards and execution, 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-07-li-lou-i-standards-and-execution.en.md)

Updated: 2026-10-13 · v1.0.0