Only when a man will not do some things is he capable of doing great things.
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Mencius

Mankind fears an evil man but heaven does not.
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Mencius

A trail through the mountains, if used, becomes a path in a short time, but, if unused, becomes blocked by grass in an equally short time.
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Mencius

Every duty is a charge, but the charge of oneself is the root of all others.
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Mencius

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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Mencius

Friendship with a man is friendship with his virtue.
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Mencius

The people are the most important element in a nation; the spirits of the land and grain are the next; the sovereign is the least.
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Mencius

Let men decide firmly what they will not do, and they will be free to do vigorously what they ought to do.
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Mencius

I like fish, and I also like bear's paws. If I cannot have the two together, I will let the fish go, and take the bear's paws. So, I like life, and I also like righteousness. If I cannot keep the two together, I will let life go, and choose righteousness.
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Mencius

Evil exists to glorify the good. Evil is negative good. It is a relative term. Evil can be transmuted into good. What is evil to one at one time, becomes good at another time to somebody else.
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Mencius

Kindly words do not enter so deeply into men as a reputation for kindness.
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Mencius

Friends are the siblings God never gave us.
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Mencius

Quarreling over food and drink, having neither scruples nor shame, not knowing right from wrong, not trying to avoid death or injury, not fearful of greater strength or of greater numbers, greedily aware only of food and drink - such is the bravery of the dog and boar.

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Xunzi

In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men's nature is bad and that their tendencies were not being corrected and their lawlessness controlled.

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Xunzi

Thus, anybody who follows this nature and gives way its states will be led into quarrels and conflicts, and go against the conventions and rules of society, and will end up a criminal.

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Xunzi

Therefore, a person should first be changed by a teacher's instructions, and guided by principles of ritual. Only then can he observe the rules of courtesy and humility, obey the conventions and rules of society, and achieve order.

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Xunzi

If what the heart approves conforms to proper patterns, then even if one's desires are many, what harm would they be to good order?

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Xunzi

If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.

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Xunzi

Sacrifice is a state of mind in which our thoughts turn with longing [toward Heaven, the Ancestors], It is the supreme expression of loyalty, love, and respect.

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Xunzi

You look upon the seasons with expectation and await them: why not seize the seasonal opportunities and exploit them?

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Xunzi