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.
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.
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.
men shame
A man must not be without shame, for the shame of being without shame is shamelessness indeed.
men thinking heaven
Sincerity is the way to heaven; to think how to be sincere is the way of man.
self-esteem lying self-confidence
The foundation of the world lies in the nation. The foundation of the nation lies in the family. The foundation of the family lies in the individual.
love-is government opponents
If the prince of a State love benevolence, he will have no opponent in all the empire.