Mencius
Confucian philosopher
Sayings by Mencius
The greatest joy of man is to rejoice in the Way.
To serve one's parents is the greatest service. To serve one's prince is a secondary service. To serve one's friends is a still more secondary service.
When a man has a mind to do good, he is not far from it.
The superior man is anxious lest he should not get the truth; he is not anxious lest poverty should come.
The great man is he who can preserve the heart of a child.
If a man can only put forth his strength, and cultivate his nature, he will become a sage.
The way in which a man treats his parents is the root of sincerity.
The man who has a true heart is not afraid of anything.
To love others is benevolence. To know others is wisdom.
The superior man has three things in which he delights, and to be ruler over the empire is not one of them.
The people are the foundation of the state; the grain is the staff of life; the ruler is the shepherd of the people.
The great man is he who does not lose his child's heart. He who loses his child's heart is a small man.
One who is benevolent has no enemy.
The difference between men is small; the difference between good and evil is great.
The Way is near, but people seek it far away. The task is easy, but people make it difficult.
He who is not ashamed of being inferior, will never be superior.
If a man does not attend to his own root, he cannot cultivate his branches.
The greatest joy is to be without joy.
The wise man delights in water; the benevolent man delights in mountains.
He who exerts his mind to the utmost knows his nature.