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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.

Mencius

A man must first despise himself, and then others will despise him.
MENCIUS

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

Alone Enough Exercise Government Law Practice Virtue
Evil exists to glorify the good. Evil is negative good. It is a relative term. Evil can be transmuted into good. What is evil to one at one time, becomes good at another time to somebody else.
MENCIUS

Deep Evil Goodness Negative Perspective Philosophy Spiritual
The great man is he who does not lose his child’s heart.
MENCIUS

Children Greatness Heart Man Wisdom
It is not difficult to govern. All one has to do is not to offend the noble families.
MENCIUS

Authority Difficult Family Government
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
Truth uttered before its time is dangerous.
MENCIUS

Honesty Time Truth
The way of truth is like a great highway. It is not hard to find.
MENCIUS

Path Philosophy Truth Way
Benevolence is one of the distinguishing characters of man.
MENCIUS

Character Kindness Men
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
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 act without clear understanding, to form habits without investigation, to follow a path all one’s life without knowing where it really leads; such is the behavior of the multitude.
MENCIUS

Act Ignorance Leadership Life Understand
The ways are two: love and want of love. That is all.
MENCIUS

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

Happiness Joy Reflection Sincere
The regular path of virtue is to be pursued without any bend, and from no view to emolument.
MENCIUS

Path View Virtue

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.

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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.

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Popular Authors

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