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Mencius – Chapter 14.24
Mencius distinguishes human nature and fate. Sensory desires are innate yet limited by fate, so gentlemen do not prioritize them. Moral virtues lie in innate nature despite external constraints, so people must persist in cultivating them rather than yielding to fate.
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Mencius – Chapter 14.23
When Qi suffers famine, people expect Mencius to urge the king to open granaries again. He uses Feng Fu’s story: the ex-tiger fighter reverted to old deeds to please villagers, yet other scholars mocked him, showing Mencius sticks to his official retreat principles.
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Mencius – Chapter 14.22
Gaozi claims Yu’s music surpasses King Wen’s, citing worn bell clappers as proof. Mencius refutes him with deep gate ruts—wear stems from long use, not superior quality, warning against hasty judgments based on superficial traces.
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Mencius – Chapter 14.21
Mencius uses mountain trails as a metaphor to warn disciple Gaozi: constant practice clears one’s moral mind, yet neglect lets weeds of desire block it. He reminds people to sustain unceasing self-cultivation to avoid spiritual stagnation.
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Mencius – Chapter 14.20
Mencius stresses self-clarity first: virtuous people gain full understanding themselves before enlightening others. He criticizes those confused yet eager to guide others, highlighting self-cultivation as the foundation of teaching and governance.
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Mencius – Chapter 14.19
Disciple He Ji grieves over widespread slander. Mencius consoles him that such gossip harms nothing, citing two Book of Songs verses: even Confucius and King Wen endured petty men’s resentment yet retained their noble reputations.