Skip to content

Let not a man do what his sense of right bids him not to…

“Let not a man do what his sense of right bids him not to do, nor desire what it forbids him to desire. This is sufficient. The skillful artist will not alter his measures for the sake of a stupid workman.” quote by Mencius
Download Open image
“Let not a man do what his sense of right bids him not to do, nor desire what it forbids him to desire. This is sufficient. The skillful artist will not alter his measures for the sake of a stupid workman.”

Mencius

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Act according to your moral sense, not external pressures; true skill respects integrity over appeasing the unskilled.

In simple terms: Follow inner rightness, not others' demands.

Key Takeaway

Uphold personal integrity.

Themes

morality integrity skill leadership

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

  • leadership
  • craftsmanship
  • personal decisions

Key Concepts

Confucian ethics authenticity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance personal ethics with external demands?
  • When is compromise justified?
A Different Perspective

May conflict with practical constraints or expectations.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Mencius

Explore all 125 Mencius quotes

More Art quotes

Browse all 48,643 Art quotes