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

Mencius

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
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 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
Let not a man do what his sense of right bids him not to do, nor desire what it forbids him to desire. This is sufficient. The skillful artist will not alter his measures for the sake of a stupid workman.
MENCIUS

Artist Desire Men Stupidity
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
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
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.
MENCIUS

Inspirational Men Simplicity Thinking
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
There is a power in everything; it is the job of the artist to determine it and express it.
MENCIUS

Artist Job Power
He who wishes to be benevolent will not be rich.
MENCIUS

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

Flow Human Nature Water
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
The great person never loses a childlike spirit.
MENCIUS

Attitude Greatness Person Spirit
Secure property in hand leads to peace in mind.
MENCIUS

Freedom Hands Mindset One Liner Security
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.
MENCIUS

Freedom Men Pet
The way of truth is like a great highway. It is not hard to find.
MENCIUS

Path Philosophy Truth Way

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

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

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