When the men of antiquity realized their wishes, benefits were conferred by them on the people. If they did not realize their wishes, they cultivated their personal character, and became illustrious in the world. If poor, they attended to their own virtue in solitude; if advanced to dignity, they made the whole empire virtuous as well.
MenciusAll people have the common desire to be elevated in honour, but all people have something still more elevated in themselves without knowing it.
MenciusThe way is near, but men seek it afar. It is in easy things, but men seek for it in difficult things.
MenciusIs it only the mouth and belly which are injured by hunger and thirst? Men's minds are also injured by them.
Mencius