Extending Benevolence and Righteousness

English translation

Mencius said, “Everyone has things they cannot bear to do. Extend that feeling to things one has been willing to do, and this is benevolence. Everyone has things they will not do. Extend that refusal to things one has been willing to do, and this is righteousness. If people fully develop the wish not to harm others, benevolence can never be exhausted. If they fully develop the refusal to break into another’s home, righteousness can never be exhausted. If they fully develop the refusal to accept degrading familiarity, they will act righteously wherever they go. When a shi speaks where he should not, he uses speech to probe another; when he stays silent where he should speak, he uses silence to probe another. Both are forms of sneaking through walls.”