If the King loves music, it is well with the land.
MenciusRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of love and respect in our relationships with others.
Mencius highlights that merely providing for people's basic needs, such as food, without extending love and respect diminishes their humanity. Similarly, loving individuals without respecting them devalues their autonomy and dignity. Thus, true care involves both love and respect, recognizing people's full humanity.
Themes
LoveRespectHumanityRelationshipsCare
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a speech about the importance of compassion in leadership.
More from Mencius
All quotes βLet 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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Where it is permissible both to die and not to die, it is an abuse of valour to die.
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