148 Quotes by Mencius

Human nature is disposed to do good.

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.

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.

Incessant falls teach men to reform, and distress rouses their strength. Life springs from calamity, and death from ease.

Only when someone refuses to do certain things will he be capable of doing great things.

The regular path of virtue is to be pursued without any bend, and from no view to emolument.

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.

The man of true greatness never loses his child's heart.

The gap between enthusiasm and indifference is filled with failures. The great man is he that does not lose his child's heart.