Jin Xin I · Passage 21 / 46 · 孟子 7A.21

Mencius 7A.21: virtues rooted in the heart

Vast territory and settled peoples are desirable, but the superior person's real nature lies in virtues rooted in the heart and expressed through the whole.

孟子曰：「廣土眾民，君子欲之，所樂不存焉。中天下而立，定四海之民，君子樂之，所性不存焉。君子所性，雖大行不加焉，雖窮居不損焉，分定故也。君子所性，仁義禮智根於心。其生色也，睟然見於面、盎於背。施於四體，四體不言而喻。」

mèng zǐ yuē：「guǎng tǔ zhòng mín， jūn zǐ yù zhī， suǒ lè bù cún yān。 zhōng tiān xià ér lì， dìng sì hǎi zhī mín， jūn zǐ lè zhī， suǒ xìng bù cún yān。 jūn zǐ suǒ xìng， suī dà xíng bù jiā yān， suī qióng jū bù sǔn yān， fēn dìng gù yě。 jūn zǐ suǒ xìng， rén yì lǐ zhì gēn wū xīn。 qí shēng sè yě， suì rán jiàn wū miàn、 àng wū bèi。 shī wū sì tǐ， sì tǐ bù yán ér yù。」

Mencius said, 'Wide territory and a numerous people are desired by the superior man, but what he delights in is not here. To stand in the centre of the kingdom, and tranquillize the people within the four seas - the superior man delights in this, but the highest enjoyment of his nature is not here. What belongs by his nature to the superior man cannot be increased by the largeness of his sphere of action, nor diminished by his dwelling in poverty and retirement - for this reason that it is determinately apportioned to him by Heaven. What belongs by his nature to the superior man are benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and knowledge. These are rooted in his heart; their growth and manifestation are a mild harmony appearing in the countenance, a rich fullness in the back, and the character imparted to the four limbs. Those limbs understand to arrange themselves, without being told.'