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

Mencius

Is it only the mouth and belly which are injured by hunger and thirst? Men’s minds are also injured by them.
MENCIUS

Food Hunger Injury Men Mindset
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
A man must first despise himself, and then others will despise him.
MENCIUS

Hate Men
A small country cannot contend with a great; the few cannot contend with the many; the weak cannot contend with the strong.
MENCIUS

Country Greatness Strong Weakness
There is no greater delight than to be conscious of sincerity on self-examination.
MENCIUS

Greatness Sincere
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 man is he who does not lose his child’s heart.
MENCIUS

Children Greatness Heart Man Wisdom
The Way lies at hand yet it is sought afar off; the thing lies in the easy yet it is sought in the difficult.
MENCIUS

Difficult Hands Lying Warrior
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
All things are complete within ourselves.
MENCIUS

One Liner Perfection
Benevolence is one of the distinguishing characters of man.
MENCIUS

Character Kindness Men
Where it is permissible both to die and not to die, it is an abuse of valour to die.
MENCIUS

Death Freedom
Never has a man who has bent himself been able to make others straight.
MENCIUS

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

Beginning Feeling Right Wisdom Wrong
He who goes to the bottom of his own heart knows his own nature; And knowing his own nature, he knows heaven.
MENCIUS

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

Oneself Understand

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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