The five kinds of grains are considered good plants, but if the grains are not ripe, they are worse than cockles. It is the same with regard to kindness, which must grow into maturity.
MenciusIf you love men and they are unfriendly, look into your love; if you rule men and they are unruly, look into your wisdom; if you are courteous to them and they do not respond, look into your courtesy. If what you do is vain, always seek within.
MenciusThe 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.
MenciusTo lay hold of the mean without taking into account the occasion is like grasping one thing only.
MenciusSo I like life and I like righteousness; if I cannot keep the two together, I will let life go and choose righteousness.
MenciusHe who loves others is always loved by them, and he who respects others is always respected by them.
MenciusHe who attends to his greater self becomes a great man, and he who attends to his smaller self becomes a small man.
MenciusTo 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.
MenciusNever has there been one possessed of complete sincerity who did not move others. Never has there been one who had not sincerity who was able to move others.
MenciusWhen 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.
MenciusOnly those who develop their minds and spirits to the utmost can serve Heaven and fulfill their own destinies.
MenciusIt 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.
Mencius