Mencius - Book 7, Part 1, Chapter 9

Mencius said to Sung Kâu-ch'ien, 'Are you fond, Sir, of traveling to the different courts? I will tell you about such traveling.

'If a prince acknowledge you and follow your counsels, be perfectly satisfied. If no one do so, be the same.'

Kâu-ch'ien said, 'What is to be done to secure this perfect satisfaction?' Mencius replied, 'honor virtue and delight in righteousness, and so you may always be perfectly satisfied.

'Therefore, a scholar, though poor, does not let go his righteousness; though prosperous, he does not leave his own path.

'Poor and not letting righteousness go; it is thus that the scholar holds possession of himself. Prosperous and not leaving the proper path; it is thus that the expectations of the people from him are not disappointed.

'When the men of antiquity realized their wishes, benefits were conferred by them on the people. If they did not realize their wishes, they cultivated their personal character, and became illustrious in the world. If poor, they attended to their own virtue in solitude; if advanced to dignity, they made the whole kingdom virtuous as well.'

~ James Legge translation via nothingistic.org ~

 Go here to read the introductory post to this serialized version of the Works of Mencius.