Mencius Quotes

The superior man has three things in which he delights, and to be ruler over the kingdom is not one of them. That his father and mother are both alive, and that the condition of his brothers affords no cause for anxiety;—this is one delight. That, when looking up, he has no occasion for shame before Heaven, and, below, he has no occasion to blush before men;—this is a second delight. That he can get from the whole kingdom the most talented individuals, and teach and nourish them;—this is the third delight.

Integrity, wisdom, skill, intelligence – such things are forged in adversity.

One cannot have a discussion with those who are destroying themselves. One cannot work with those who throw themselves away.

All the children who are held and loved...will know how to love others. Spread these virtues in the world. Nothing more need be done.

If others do not respond to your love with love, look into your own benevolence; if others fail to respond to your attempts to govern them with order, look into your own respect. In other words, look into yourself whenever you fail to achieve your purpose. When you are correct in your person, the Empire will turn to you.

Words that speak of things close at hand and carry far-reaching implications – those are the good words.

Je lepší nemít žádné knihy, než věřit všemu, co je v nich napsáno.

The feeling of right or wrong is the beginning of wisdom

Human-heartedness is man's mind. Righteousness is man's path. How sad that he abandons that path and does not rely on it; that he loses that mind and does not know to seek it. When a man has lost a cock or a dog, he knows to seek it, but having lost his (proper) mind, he does not know to seek it. The Way of Learning is nothing other than seeking the lost mind

Friendship is one mind in two bodies.

Don’t do what should not be done, and don’t desire what should not be desired. Abide by this one precept, and everything else will follow.