Mencius. Book VII: Tsin Sin. Part II. Chapter IX.

Legge's summary: A man's influence depends on his personal example and conduct.

Mencius said, 'If a man himself do not walk in the right path, it will not be walked in even by his wife and children. If he order men according to what is not the right way, he will not be able to get the obedience of even his wife and children.'


Previous chapter   main Mencius node   Next chapter


Translated by James Legge, published in 1861 and revised for publication in 1895. Prepared as etext by Stephen R. McIntyre. Noded by schist. Please msg schist if you have suggestions for useful hard-links.