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 person never loses a childlike spirit.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Maintaining a childlike spirit signifies retaining curiosity and openness to life.
This quote by Mencius emphasizes the importance of preserving a sense of wonder and innocence as we grow older. A great person embodies qualities often associated with children, such as curiosity, playfulness, and a genuine appreciation for the world, which can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment in life.
Themes
ChildlikeSpiritWonderCuriosityGreatness
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about the importance of staying curious in adulthood.
More from Mencius
All quotes βIf 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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