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

Mencius

Men must be decided on what they will not do, and then they are able to act with vigor in what they ought to do.
MENCIUS

Decision Men Vigor
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
Friends are the siblings God never gave us.
MENCIUS

Friendship God
The sole concern of learning is to seek one’s original heart.
MENCIUS

Heart Learning Seek
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
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
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
He who loves others is constantly loved by them. He who respects others is constantly respected by them.
MENCIUS

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

Kindness Men Reputation
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
It is not difficult to govern. All one has to do is not to offend the noble families.
MENCIUS

Authority Difficult Family Government
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
To lay hold of the mean without taking into account the occasion is like grasping one thing only.
MENCIUS

Oneself Understand
A man must not be without shame, for the shame of being without shame is shamelessness indeed.
MENCIUS

Character Existence Men Shame
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.

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

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Popular Authors

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