The feeling of compassion is the sprout of benevolence; shame, of righteousness; deference, of propriety; right and wrong, of wisdom.
惻隱之心、仁之端也。羞惡之心、義之端也。辭讓之心、禮之端也。是非之心、智之端也。
Philosophers
Mencius
Born c. 372 BC in China's Warring States era, Mencius held that human nature is inherently good. He championed benevolent rule rooted in the people's welfare. His writings became one of Confucianism's Four Books.
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Mencius's Other Quotes
The people are most important; the altars of state come next; the ruler is least important.
Favorable timing is less important than geographical advantage, and that is less important than unity among people.
The trouble with people is that they love playing teacher to others.
Those who fully develop their mind know their nature. Knowing their nature, they know Heaven.
We survive through adversity and perish through comfort.