Mencius
Mencius
Mencius /ˈmɛnʃiəs/ or Mengzi Chinese: 孟子;was a Chinese philosopher who is the most famous Confucian after Confucius himself...
NationalityChinese
ProfessionPhilosopher
CountryChina
men mind hunger-and-thirst
Is it only the mouth and belly which are injured by hunger and thirst? Men's minds are also injured by them.
moving able sincerity
Never has there been one possessed of complete sincerity who did not move others. Never has there been one who had not sincerity who was able to move others.
feelings deference
The feeling of right or wrong is the beginning of wisdom
happiness joy sincere
The myriad things are complete in us. There is no greater joy than to reflect on ourselves and become sincere.
knowing people desire
All people have the common desire to be elevated in honour, but all people have something still more elevated in themselves without knowing it.
roots kingdoms states
The root of the kingdom is in the state. The root of the state is in the family. The root of the family is in the person of its head.
human-nature humans
Human nature is disposed to do good.
men feelings humanity
The feeling of commiseration is the beginning of humanity; the feeling of shame and dislike is the beginning of righteousness; the feeling of deference and compliance is the beginning of propriety; and the feeling of right or wrong is the beginning of wisdom.Men have these Four Beginnings just as they have their four limbs. Having these Four Beginnings, but saying that they cannot develop them is to destroy themselves.
perfect insightful delight
All things are already complete in us. There is no greater delight than to be conscious of right within us. If one strives to treat others as he would be treated by them, he shall not fail to come near the perfect life.
spring fall men
Incessant falls teach men to reform, and distress rouses their strength. Life springs from calamity, and death from ease.
certain great-things capability
Only when someone refuses to do certain things will he be capable of doing great things.
views path virtue
The regular path of virtue is to be pursued without any bend, and from no view to emolument.
freedom men pet
To feed men and not to love them is to treat them as if they were barnyard cattle. To love them and not respect them is to treat them as if they were household pets.
children heart greatness
The man of true greatness never loses his child's heart.