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
The great man is he who does not lose his child's-heart.
Interpretation
The true greatness of a person lies in their ability to maintain a sense of wonder and innocence, akin to that of a child.
This quote by Mencius suggests that the essence of a great person is their capacity to preserve the purity and curiosity of a child's heart. It highlights the importance of approaching life with a sense of innocence, openness, and joy, which allows one to connect with the world in a more profound and authentic way. By retaining this child-like spirit, individuals can foster creativity, compassion, and a deeper understanding of themselves and others.
In practice
In a motivational speech about personal growth and maintaining creativity.
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.
If the King loves music, it is well with the land.
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.
I dislike death, however, there are some things I dislike more than death. Therefore, there are times when I will not avoid danger.
Every duty is a charge, but the charge of oneself is the root of all others.
Truth uttered before its time is dangerous.
Problems call forth our courage and our wisdom; indeed, they create our courage and wisdom.
The hard discipline, with the exception of one great good point, is fraught with evil. The good point is that men can do one or two things well with very little effort, having practiced them every day through generations.
Wonder is that possession of the mind that enchants the emotions while never surrendering reason. It is a grasp on reality that does not need constant high points in order to be maintained, nor is it made vulnerable by the low points of life's struggle.
I have seen slower people than I am and more deliberate... and even quieter, and more listless, and lazier people than I am. But they were dead.
We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be.
Old age treats freelance writers pretty gently.
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