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
Benevolence is one of the distinguishing characters of man.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Benevolence defines humanity and distinguishes us from other beings.
This quote emphasizes the importance of benevolence, suggesting that the capacity for kindness and goodwill is a fundamental quality of being human. Mencius, a prominent ancient Chinese philosopher, argues that benevolence is what sets humans apart and highlights our moral obligation to care for others, reflecting the essence of our nature.
Themes
BenevolenceKindnessHumanityMenciusMorality
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about the importance of empathy and caring for one another.
More from Mencius
All quotes βIf the King loves music, it is well with the land.
MenciusRead
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.
MenciusRead
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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The main achievement of economics is that it has provided a theory of peaceful human cooperation. This is why the harbingers of violent conflict have branded it as a dismal science and why this age of wars, civil wars, and destruction has no use for it.
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