Chapter 221
- In the book "Mencius: Li Lou Chapter and Verses, Part II", it is said: "The benefits of a gentleman will be cut off after five generations; the benefits of a villain will be cut off after five generations."
- This sentence means that the benefits and blessings brought by the hard work of a gentleman will disappear after five generations at most.
- Similarly, if a person has committed many evil deeds during his lifetime, then his descendants after five generations will no longer have to suffer retribution for his ancestors.