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
Only when a man will not do some things is he capable of doing great things.
Interpretation
What this quote means
One must often forgo lesser desires to achieve greater accomplishments.
This quote by Mencius emphasizes the importance of prioritization and discipline in achieving greatness. It suggests that true potential is unlocked when an individual makes conscious choices to avoid distractions and focus on what truly matters for their success.
Themes
DisciplineGreatnessPrioritizationSuccessFocus
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about achieving one's dreams.
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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