When one by force subdues men, they do not submit to him in heart. They submit because their strength is not adequate to resist.

It is true that water will flow indifferently to east and west, but will it flow equally well up and down? Human nature is disposed toward goodness, just as water tends to flow downwards. There is no water but flows downwards, and no man but shows his tendency to be good. Now, by striking water hard, you may splash it higher than your forehead, and by damming it, you may make it go uphill. But, is that the nature of water? It is external force that causes it to do so. Likewise, if a man is made to do what is not good, his nature is being similarly forced.

The great person never loses a childlike spirit.

To feed men and not to love them is to treat them as if they were barnyard cattle. To love them and not respect them is to treat them as if they were household pets.

He who exerts his mind to the utmost knows his nature.

I dislike death, however, there are some things I dislike more than death. Therefore, there are times when I will not avoid danger.

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