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

Mencius

Listen to a man’s words and look at the pupil of his eye. How can a man conceal his character?
MENCIUS

Character Eyes Hide Men Word
To lay hold of the mean without taking into account the occasion is like grasping one thing only.
MENCIUS

Oneself Understand
When one by force subdues men, they do not submit to him in heart. They submit because their strength is not adequate to resist.
MENCIUS

Force Heart Men Power Resistance
The way is near, but men seek it afar. It is in easy things, but men seek for it in difficult things.
MENCIUS

Easy Men Philosophy Seek Way
In abundance prepare for scarcity.
MENCIUS

Abundance Money One Liner Scarcity
The people turn in allegiance to Humanity, as surely as water flows downward or as a wild animal takes cover in the wilderness.
MENCIUS

Animal Humanity People Water Wild
All people have the common desire to be elevated in honour, but all people have something still more elevated in themselves without knowing it.
MENCIUS

Deep Desire People Philosophy
A man must first despise himself, and then others will despise him.
MENCIUS

Hate Men
The tendency of mans nature to good is like the tendency of water to flow downward.
MENCIUS

Flow Human Nature Water
The great man is he who does not lose his child’s heart.
MENCIUS

Children Greatness Heart Man Wisdom
Benevolence is one of the distinguishing characters of man.
MENCIUS

Character Kindness Men
The feeling of right or wrong is the beginning of wisdom.
MENCIUS

Beginning Feeling Right Wisdom Wrong
The regular path of virtue is to be pursued without any bend, and from no view to emolument.
MENCIUS

Path View Virtue
Heaven sees as the people see. Heaven hears as the people hear.
MENCIUS

Equality Heaven People See
The feeling of compassion is the beginning of humanity.
MENCIUS

Compassion Feeling Humanity
Never has a man who has bent himself been able to make others straight.
MENCIUS

Ability Character Men

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

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

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