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.
water flow west
Water indeed will flow indifferently to the east or west, but will it flow indifferently up or down? The tendency of our nature to good is like the tendency of water to flow downwards. There are none but have this tendency to good, just as all water flows downward.
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.
water flow human-nature
The tendency of mans nature to good is like the tendency of water to flow downward.
men water may
It is true that water will flow indifferently to east and west, but will it flow equally well up and down? Human nature is disposed toward goodness, just as water tends to flow downwards. There is no water but flows downwards, and no man but shows his tendency to be good. Now, by striking water hard, you may splash it higher than your forehead, and by damming it, you may make it go uphill. But, is that the nature of water? It is external force that causes it to do so. Likewise, if a man is made to do what is not good, his nature is being similarly forced.
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.