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 root of the kingdom is in the state. The root of the state is in the family. The root of the family is in the person of its head.

Those who follow the part of themselves which is great are great men; those who follow the part which is little are little men.

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.

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

By exhaustively examining one's own mind,one may understand his nature.One who understands his own nature understands Heaven.

Only those who develop their minds and spirits to the utmost can serve Heaven and fulfill their own destinies.