Mencius expanded on them by saying: "One wants life, and also to uphold justice. When the two cannot be had at the same time, then give up life to uphold justice." He was arguing that practicing one's ideals is more important than longevity.
後來被孟子闡發為：「生，亦我所欲也，義，亦我所欲也，二者不可得兼，舍生而取義者也」，視實現價值理念比人的自然生命更為可貴。