Kao Tzu said, ‘Human nature is like the ch’i willow. Dutifulness is like cups and bowls. To make morality out of human nature is like making cups and bowls out of the willow.’ ‘Can you,’ said Menicius, ‘make cups and bowls by following the nature of the willow? Or must you mutilate the willow before you can make it into cups and bowls? If you have to mutilate the willow to make it into cups and bowls, must you, then, also mutilate a man to make him moral? Surely it will be these words of yours men in the world will follow in brining disaster upon morality.’ (Mencius 6A:1)

Kung-tu Tzu asked, ‘Though equally human, why are some men greater than others?’ Mencius replied, ‘Those who follow what is great within them become great; those who follow what is small become small.’ Kung-tu Tzu then said, ‘All are equally human. Why is it that some follow what is great and others follow what is small?’ Mencius replied, ‘It is not the function of the ear or the eyes to reflect, and so they can become obsessed with things. Being unreflective, when they come in contact with other things, they are led astray. The function of the mind is to reflect. When it reflects, it gets things right; if it does not reflect, it cannot get things right. These are what Heaven has given us. If one takes one’s stand in the great that is within, the small cannot take it away. This is what makes one great.’ (Mencius 6A:15)

For a man to give full realization to his heart is for him to understand his own nature, and a man who knows his own mature will know Heaven. By restraining his heart and nurturing his nature he is serving Heaven. Whether he is going to die young or to live to a ripe old age makes no difference to his steadfastness of purpose. It is through awaiting whatever is to befall him with a perfected character that he stands firm on his proper destiny. (Mencius 7A:1)

If others do not respond to your love with love, look into your own benevolence; if others fail to respond to your attempt to govern them with order, look into your own wisdom; if others do not return your courtesy, look into your own respect. In other words, look into yourself whenever you fail to achieve your purpose. (Mencius 4A:4)

You can never succeed in winning the allegiance of men by trying to dominate them through goodness. You can only succeed by using this goodness for their welfare. You can never gain the Empire without the heart-felt admiration of the people in it. (Mencius 4B:16)