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 water humanity
Human nature is good, just as water seeks low ground. There is no man who is not good, just as there is no water that does not flow downward.
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.
compassion feelings humanity
The feeling of compassion is the beginning of humanity.
chinese-philosopher firmly men ought
Let men decide firmly what they will not do, and they will be free to do vigorously what they ought to do.
accumulate attract difficult effective protection valuable
Without effective protection of the citizens' right to property, it will be difficult to attract and accumulate valuable capital.
becomes blocked equally grass time trail
A trail through the mountains, if used, becomes a path in a short time, but, if unused, becomes blocked by grass in an equally short time.
bright confucius night
If Confucius wasn't born, the long night would have no bright lamp.
element people sovereign spirits
The people are the most important element in a nation; the spirits of the land and grain are the next; the sovereign is the least.
great man
Only when a man will not do some things is he capable of doing great things.
friendship man
Friendship with a man is friendship with his virtue.
chinese-philosopher time truth uttered
Truth uttered before its time is always dangerous.
life people plan private property
People can have a long-term life plan only if they know their private property is secure.
cannot choose life
I like fish, and I also like bear's paws. If I cannot have the two together, I will let the fish go, and take the bear's paws. So, I like life, and I also like righteousness. If I cannot keep the two together, I will let life go, and choose righteousness.
chinese-philosopher loves
If the king loves music, there is little wrong in the land.