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.
Mencius regards Boyi and Liuxia Hui as timeless sage-teachers. Boyi’s integrity purifies greedy, cowardly souls; Liuxia Hui’s tolerance softens petty, narrow minds. Their moral spirit inspires people hundreds of generations later.
Ziyou criticizes Zixia’s students for only mastering trivial daily etiquette yet lacking core moral roots. Zixia refutes that teaching follows a natural order, starting with basics before profound truths; only sages can seamlessly integrate fundamentals and superficial practices.
-Mao Zedong – June 1956 Just drunk of Changsha’s spring,Now taste Wuchang’s fish bring.Across Long River’s wide stretch I swing,Sky o’er Chu lands so vast and clear to sing.Let wind blow hard, waves wildly fling –Better than calm stroll in garden’s ring!Today my heart finds ease, light wing.Once by the stream, the Sage did…
7.26 The Master said, “A Divine Sage I cannot hope ever to meet; the most I can hope for is to meet a true gentleman.”
6.30 Zigong said, “If a ruler not only conferred wide benefits upon the common people, but also compassed the salvation of the whole State, what would you say of him? Surely, you would call him benevolent?”