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 myriad things are complete in us. There is no greater joy than to reflect on ourselves and become sincere.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True joy comes from self-reflection and sincerity in our actions.
This quote by Mencius suggests that understanding and embracing our true selves leads to profound happiness. It emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, as it allows us to recognize our potential and attain sincerity, which is essential for genuine joy.
Themes
Self-ReflectionSincerityJoyWisdomHappiness
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth.
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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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There's something fascinating about seeing something you don't like at first but directly know you will loveβin time. People are that way, all through life. You come against a personality, and it questions yours. You shy away but know there are gratifying secrets there, and the half-open door is often more exciting than the wide.
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Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Everyday, I walk myself into a state of well-being & walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it. But by sitting still, & the more one sits still, the closer one comes to feeling ill. Thus if one just keeps on walking, everything will be all right.
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You are to have implicit confidence in your own ability, knowing that it is the nature of thought to externalize itself in your health and affairs, knowing that you are the thinker.
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Look at the weaknesses of others with compassion, not accusation. It's not what they're not doing or should be doing that's the issue. The issue is your own chosen response to the situation and what you should be doing. If you start to think the problem is "out there," stop yourself. That thought is the problem.
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Let a man be endowed with ten virtues and have but one fault and the one fault will eclipse and darken all the virtues.
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If you protect a man from folly, you will soon have a nation of fools.
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