Quotes from Mencius

The great man does not think beforehand of his words that they may be sincere, nor of his actions that they may be resolute- he simply speaks and does what is right.

The way is One and only One. The way is close at hand, but men seek it afar.

Those who follow the part of themselves which is great are great men; those who follow the part which is little are little men.

Is it only the mouth and belly which are injured by hunger and thirst? Men's minds are also injured by them.

In abundance prepare for scarcity.

If the King loves music, it is well with the land.

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.

He who exerts his mind to the utmost knows his nature.

He who goes to the bottom of his own heart knows his own nature; And knowing his own nature, he knows heaven.

By exhaustively examining one's own mind,one may understand his nature.One who understands his own nature understands Heaven.

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.

Human nature is disposed to do good.

A man must not be without shame, for the shame of being without shame is shamelessness indeed.

There is a power in everything; it is the job of the artist to determine it and express it.

Virtue alone is not sufficient for the exercise of government; laws alone cannot carry themselves into practice.

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

When Heaven is about to confer a great office upon you, it first exercises your mind with suffering and your sinews and bones with toil.

The great person never loses a childlike spirit.

The myriad things are complete in us. There is no greater joy than to reflect on ourselves and become sincere.

The people turn in allegiance to Humanity, as surely as water flows downward or as a wild animal takes cover in the wilderness.

Kindly words do not enter so deeply into men as a reputation for kindness.

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.

There is no greater delight than to be conscious of sincerity on self-examination.

He who loves others is constantly loved by them. He who respects others is constantly respected by them.