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Mencius 孟子

These passages from Mencius are presented as source-linked arguments, not decorative quotations. Their surrounding ideas help distinguish encouragement, criticism, and ethical principle.

4 verified linesWarring States period8 connected themes1 source collections

Bilingual collection

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4 curated lines
✓ Verified sourceBilingual

尽信书，则不如无书。

Jìn xìn shū, zé bù rú wú shū.

Close English reading

To believe books completely is worse than having no books.

Plain meaningRead seriously, but do not surrender your judgment to the page.

Source
Mencius· Warring States period · Mencius: Jin Xin II
Mencius
Why it fitsThe statement occurs in a discussion of how historical texts should be interpreted rather than accepted without discrimination.
Original context and translation note
尽信书，则不如无书。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

天时不如地利，地利不如人和。

Tiān shí bù rú dì lì, dì lì bù rú rén hé.

Close English reading

Favorable timing is not as valuable as favorable terrain; favorable terrain is not as valuable as harmony among people.

Plain meaningUnity matters more than circumstances.

Source
Mencius· Warring States period · Mencius: Gongsun Chou II
Mencius
Why it fitsIt places human cooperation above both timing and material advantage.
Original context and translation note
天时不如地利，地利不如人和。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

富贵不能淫，贫贱不能移，威武不能屈。

Fù guì bù néng yín, pín jiàn bù néng yí, wēi wǔ bù néng qū.

Close English reading

Wealth and honor cannot corrupt him, poverty and low status cannot move him, and force cannot make him bend.

Plain meaningHold your principles through temptation, hardship, and pressure.

Source
Mencius· Warring States period · Mencius: Teng Wen Gong II
Mencius
Why it fitsIt defines integrity by the pressures it can withstand.
Original context and translation note
富贵不能淫，贫贱不能移，威武不能屈。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

生于忧患，而死于安乐也。

Shēng yú yōu huàn, ér sǐ yú ān lè yě.

Close English reading

One survives and grows through hardship, and perishes in ease.

Plain meaningDifficulty can strengthen you; complacency can weaken you.

Source
Mencius· Warring States period · Mencius: Gaozi II
Mencius
Why it fitsThe line treats hardship as a source of alertness and growth, while warning against excessive comfort.
Original context and translation note
然后知生于忧患，而死于安乐也。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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WisdomAmbition & successCourageThinking & empathyFriendshipLearningPerseveranceWork & leadership

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Mencius4

Human cooperation, hardship, integrity, ambition, and independent judgment in arguments that remain practical today. English translations on this page are original reading aids and do not replace the Chinese source text.

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