Mencius said: “What duty is greatest? Serving one’s parents is greatest.What must be guarded above all? Guarding one’s own moral integrity is paramount.I have heard of people with moral integrity can serve their parents well;but I have never heard of anyone of lax morals can do so. There are various kinds of duties. Yet…
Gongsun Chou asked Mencius: “Why don’t gentlemen teach their own sons?”
Chunyu Kun asked Mencius: “Is it true that, according to ritual propriety, men and women should not directly hand things to each other?”
Mencius said: “A truly respectful person never humiliates others;a truly frugal person never takes what belongs to others.Yet some rulers humiliate their people and seize their wealth,all while fearing that others won’t obey them.How can such people be called ‘respectful’ or ‘frugal’?Can respectfulness and frugality really be faked through tone of voice, smiles, and…
Mencius said: “When it comes to understanding a person, nothing is more revealing than their eyes.The eyes cannot conceal a person’s evil.”
Mencius said: “Ran Qiu served as steward to the powerful Ji family in Lu.Not only did he fail to help them improve their virtue, but he actually doubled their grain taxes.”
Mencius said: “The Dao is right before you, yet you seek it far away;the task is simple, yet you make it difficult.If everyone simply loves their own parents and respects their elders,the whole world will be at peace.”