Mencius

Philosopher

Mencius was a Chinese philosopher known for his teachings on human nature and morality, particularly through his work 'Mencius'.

Born
January 1, 0372
Died
January 1, 0289
Quotes
100
Rank
#522

About Mencius

Mencius — Life and Legacy

Mencius, a prominent Confucian philosopher, is celebrated for his profound insights into human nature and morality. His key contribution lies in the assertion that human beings are inherently good, a stance that challenges the more pessimistic views of his contemporaries. Through his dialogues and teachings, particularly in the text 'Mencius', he articulates the idea that compassion is a natural instinct that must be cultivated through education and societal support. One of his notable quotes, 'Human nature is good', encapsulates his belief that everyone possesses the potential for virtue, which can be nurtured or neglected depending on their environment. Mencius's philosophy emphasizes the importance of moral development, arguing that society has a responsibility to foster the innate goodness within individuals. His thoughts on compassion and empathy reveal a deep understanding of the human condition, advocating for a society built on mutual respect and moral integrity. Today, Mencius's ideas resonate in discussions about ethics and human rights, as they encourage a view of humanity that is hopeful and focused on the potential for goodness. His work continues to inspire those who seek to understand the complexities of human nature and the role of compassion in fostering a harmonious society.

Quote collection

Mencius quotes (page 1 of 5)

100 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Mencius Philosopher
Popular

"When Heaven is about to confer a great office on a man, it first exercises his mind with suffering, and his sinews and bones with toil ; it exposes his body to hunger, and subjects him to extreme poverty ; it confounds his undertakings. By all these methods it stimulates his mind, hardens his nature, and supplies his incompetencies."

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Mencius Philosopher
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"Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence"

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Mencius Philosopher
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"If you know the point of balance, You can settle the details. If you can settle the details, You can stop running around. Your mind will become calm. If your mind becomes calm, You can think in front of a tiger. If you can think in front of a tiger, You will surely succeed."

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Mencius Philosopher
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"The disease of men is that they neglect their own fields and go to weed the fields of others."

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Mencius Philosopher
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"To act without clear understanding, to form habits without investigation, to follow a path all one's life without knowing where it really leads; such is the behavior of the multitude."

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Mencius Philosopher
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"Charity is in the heart of man, and righteousness in the path of men. Pity the man who has lost his path and does not follow it and who has lost his heart and does not know how to recover it. When people's dogs and chicks are lost they go out and look for them and yet the people who have lost their hearts do not go out and look for them. The principle of self-cultivation consists in nothing but trying to look for the lost heart."

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Mencius Philosopher
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"There is no greater delight than to be conscious of sincerity on self-examination."

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Mencius Philosopher
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"The fruit of humanity is devotion to one's parents. The fruit of righteousness is to respect one's elders. The fruit of wisdom is to understand these two and not to betray them. The fruit of propriety is to regulate and polish them. The fruit of music is the joy that comes from rejoicing in them. When one rejoices in them, they grow. When they grow, how can they be stopped? And when they cannot be stopped, unconsciously one's feet begin to dance and one's arms begin to wave."

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Mencius Philosopher
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"People are eager to comment on something when they themselves are not in the situation of doing it."

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Mencius Philosopher
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"He who loves others is constantly loved by them. He who respects others is constantly respected by them."

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Mencius Philosopher
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"There is a power in everything; it is the job of the artist to determine it and express it."

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Mencius Philosopher
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"Never has a man who has bent himself been able to make others straight."

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Mencius Philosopher
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"If you let people follow their feelings, they will be able to do good. This is what is meant by saying that human nature is good."

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Mencius Philosopher
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"So I like life and I like righteousness; if I cannot keep the two together, I will let life go and choose righteousness."

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