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.
MenciusRead
Evil exists to glorify the good. Evil is negative good. It is a relative term. Evil can be transmuted into good. What is evil to one at one time, becomes good at another time to somebody else.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Evil serves as a contrast that highlights the nature of good, and its definition can change over time and context.
This quote by Mencius delves into the complex relationship between good and evil, suggesting that evil is not an absolute concept but rather a relative one. It posits that without the existence of evil, the goodness of certain actions or virtues would not be as clearly appreciated. Moreover, it implies that perceptions of good and evil can shift depending on circumstances, experiences, and individual perspectives, challenging us to rethink conventional notions of morality.
Themes
GoodEvilPhilosophyMoralityRelativeTransmutation
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate on ethics, one might say this quote to argue the fluidity of moral judgments.
More from Mencius
All quotes →If the King loves music, it is well with the land.
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Let not a man do what his sense of right bids him not to do, nor desire what it forbids him to desire. This is sufficient. The skillful artist will not alter his measures for the sake of a stupid workman.
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I dislike death, however, there are some things I dislike more than death. Therefore, there are times when I will not avoid danger.
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Every duty is a charge, but the charge of oneself is the root of all others.
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Truth uttered before its time is dangerous.
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