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

Mencius

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

Kindness Men Reputation
The best things in life come in threes, like friends, dreams, and memories.
MENCIUS

Dream Friendship Life Material Memories
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.
MENCIUS

Confidence Family Foundation Nation World
Where it is permissible both to die and not to die, it is an abuse of valour to die.
MENCIUS

Death Freedom
If the prince of a State love benevolence, he will have no opponent in all the empire.
MENCIUS

Enemy Government Love
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
Friendship with a man is friendship with his virtue, and does not admit of assumptions of superiority.
MENCIUS

Character Friendship Men
The Tao is near and people seek it far away.
MENCIUS

Effort People Spiritual
If you know that a thing is unrighteous, then use all dispatch in putting an end to it–why wait till next year?
MENCIUS

End Evil Wait Years
I dislike death, however, there are some things I dislike more than death. Therefore, there are times when I will not avoid danger.
MENCIUS

Avoid Danger Death Myself
It is not difficult to govern. All one has to do is not to offend the noble families.
MENCIUS

Authority Difficult Family Government
Only those who develop their minds and spirits to the utmost can serve Heaven and fulfill their own destinies.
MENCIUS

Destiny Development Heaven Mindset
The great person never loses a childlike spirit.
MENCIUS

Attitude Greatness Person Spirit
Mankind fears an evil man but heaven does not.
MENCIUS

Evil Heaven Men Reality
Never has a man who has bent himself been able to make others straight.
MENCIUS

Ability Character Men

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

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

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Popular Authors

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