Mencius Quotes

The point never to lose sight of is to be guided by the correct thing, as you see it. It's the only way to approach such profound matters and retain your integrity.

Obedience brings peace in decision making. If we have firmly made up our minds to follow the commandments, we will not have to redecide which path to take when temptation comes our way.

A man has honor if he holds himself to an ideal of conduct though it is inconvenient, unprofitable, or dangerous to do so.

The man of virtuous soul commands not, nor obeys.

Ethics are not necessarily to do with being law-abiding. I am very interested in the moral path, doing the right thing.

There is a minimum requirement of morality, of moral compass, of decency, of moral empathy. And if you are incapable of meeting that minimum requirement, you can't even talk to me about policy.

He who is mistaken in an action which he sincerely believes to be right may be an enemy, but retains our esteem.

Reason often makes mistakes, but conscience never does.

In day-to-day life, you have stimulus to behave unethically, but in the long term, it always pays off to be ethical.

Greatness is not manifested by unlimited pragmatism, which places such a high premium on the end justifying any means and any methods.

Ethical is 'I'll wait and do what's right even in the hardest times and even if I have to give up gains to do it.'

I've handled colour as a man should behave. You may conclude that I consider ethics and aesthetics as one.

The disgrace of others often keeps tender minds from vice.

Nothing makes it easier to resist temptation than a proper bringing-up, a sound set of values - and witnesses.

Plato said that virtue has no master. If a person does not honor this principle and rejoice in it, but is purchasable for money, he creates many masters for himself.

The imperative is to define what is right and do it.

When about to commit a base deed, respect thyself, though there is no witness.

I did what my conscience told me to do, and you can't fail if you do that.

Virtue consists, not in abstaining from vice, but in not desiring it.

Virtue could see to do what Virtue would by her own radiant light, though sun and moon where in the flat sea sunk.

Don't violate your own code of values and ethics, but don't waste energy trying to make other people violate theirs.

You just have to do what you know is right.

No one can harm the man who does himself no wrong.

Be virtuous in thought and in deed. God has planted in you, for a purpose, a divine urge which may be easily subverted to evil and destructive ends.

Virtue is a positive quality developed by taking a firm stand for the right in temptation, or by the suffering endured in consequence of wrongdoing.