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To lay hold of the mean without taking into account the occasion is like grasping one thing only.

Mencius

Men must be decided on what they will not do, and then they are able to act with vigor in what they ought to do.
MENCIUS

Decision Men Vigor
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.
MENCIUS

Difficult Evil Men Seek
He who exerts his mind to the utmost knows his nature.
MENCIUS

Himself Mind Nature
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
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
The tendency of mans nature to good is like the tendency of water to flow downward.
MENCIUS

Flow Human Nature Water
A man must first despise himself, and then others will despise him.
MENCIUS

Hate Men
The sole concern of learning is to seek one’s original heart.
MENCIUS

Heart Learning Seek
The great man is he who does not lose his child’s heart.
MENCIUS

Children Greatness Heart Man Wisdom
The feeling of compassion is the beginning of humanity.
MENCIUS

Compassion Feeling Humanity
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
It is not difficult to govern. All one has to do is not to offend the noble families.
MENCIUS

Authority Difficult Family Government
Those who follow the part of themselves which is great are great men; those who follow the part which is little are little men.
MENCIUS

Greatness Men
Friendship is one mind in two bodies.
MENCIUS

Body Friendship Oneself
Treat your elders as elders, and extend it to the elders of others; treat your young ones as young ones, and extend it to the young ones of others; then you can turn the whole world in the palm of your hand.
MENCIUS

Hands Respect World
Never has there been one possessed of complete sincerity who did not move others. Never has there been one who had not sincerity who was able to move others.
MENCIUS

Ability Change Sincere

To lay hold of the mean without taking into account the occasion is like grasping one thing only.

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To lay hold of the mean without taking into account the occasion is like grasping one thing only.

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