In the chapter Moderation in Use, Mozi gives the rule of the ancient sage kings for all craftsmen, the makers of wheels, carts, leather, gourds, pottery, metal and wood: “Make whatever serves the people’s use. Where more spending adds nothing to the people’s benefit, stop.”
A house needs walls that keep out wind and cold, and a roof against snow, frost, rain and dew. “Spending that adds cost but adds nothing to the people’s benefit, the sage kings did not do.” Even when the highest ministers and lords came aboard, the ferry boats were not changed and the ferrymen were not dressed up.