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
animal water people
The people turn in allegiance to Humanity, as surely as water flows downward or as a wild animal takes cover in the wilderness.
people heaven
Heaven sees as the people see. Heaven hears as the people hear.
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.
people tao far-away
The Tao is near and people seek it far away.
people feelings able
If you let people follow their feelings, they will be able to do good. This is what is meant by saying that human nature is good.
people situation comment
People are eager to comment on something when they themselves are not in the situation of doing it.
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.
life people plan private property
People can have a long-term life plan only if they know their private property is secure.
compassion two want
The ways are two: love and want of love. That is all.
kindness compassion maturity
The five kinds of grains are considered good plants, but if the grains are not ripe, they are worse than cockles. It is the same with regard to kindness, which must grow into maturity.
noble authority difficult
It is not difficult to govern. All one has to do is not to offend the noble families.
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.
years evil waiting
If you know that a thing is unrighteous, then use all dispatch in putting an end to it--why wait till next year?
men evil way
The way of truth is like a great road. It is not difficult to know it. The evil is only that men will not seek it.