black
grey
blue
red
brown
white

All people have the common desire to be elevated in honour, but all people have something still more elevated in themselves without knowing it.

Mencius

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

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

Kindness Men Reputation
There is no greater delight than to be conscious of sincerity on self-examination.
MENCIUS

Greatness Sincere
Where it is permissible both to die and not to die, it is an abuse of valour to die.
MENCIUS

Death Freedom
Friendship with a man is friendship with his virtue, and does not admit of assumptions of superiority.
MENCIUS

Character Friendship Men
He who wishes to be benevolent will not be rich.
MENCIUS

Choice Himself Rich
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
The best things in life come in threes, like friends, dreams, and memories.
MENCIUS

Dream Friendship Life Material Memories
Incessant falls teach men to reform, and distress rouses their strength. Life springs from calamity, and death from ease.
MENCIUS

Born Fall Men Philosophy Spirituality Spring
Only those who develop their minds and spirits to the utmost can serve Heaven and fulfill their own destinies.
MENCIUS

Destiny Development Heaven Mindset
Only when someone refuses to do certain things will he be capable of doing great things.
MENCIUS

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

Hate Men
Heaven sees as the people see. Heaven hears as the people hear.
MENCIUS

Equality Heaven People See

All people have the common desire to be elevated in honour, but all people have something still more elevated in themselves without knowing it.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

All people have the common desire to be elevated in honour, but all people have something still more elevated in themselves without knowing it.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

More Mencius Quotes