“The people are the most important element in a nation; the spirits of the land and grain are the next; the sovereign is the lightest.” — Mencius · Mencius, Book VII B
“To act without clear understanding, to form habits without examining them, to follow a path all your life without knowing where it goes — this is the behavior of the multitude.” — Mencius · Mencius, Book VII A
“The way of truth is like a great road. It is not difficult to know it. The evil is only that men will not seek it.” — Mencius · Mencius, Book VI B
“If you know that a thing is unrighteous, then use all dispatch in putting an end to it. Why should you wait till next year?” — Mencius · Mencius, Book III B
“The feeling of commiseration is the beginning of humanity; the feeling of shame is the beginning of righteousness.” — Mencius · Mencius, Book II A
“Benevolence is the heart of man, and righteousness is the path of man.” — Mencius · Mencius, Book VI A