Jin Xin I · Passage 03 / 46 · 孟子 7A.3
Mencius 7A.3: why divide seeking into
Mencius distinguishes two kinds of seeking: some things are gained by seeking because they are within us, while other things, though rightly pursued.
孟子曰：「『求則得之，舍則失之』，是求有益於得也，求在我者也。『求之有道，得之有命』，是求無益於得也，求在外者也。」
Mencius said, 'When we get by our seeking and lose by our neglecting - in that case seeking is of use to getting, and the things sought for are those which are in ourselves. When the seeking is according to the proper course, and the getting is only as appointed - in that case the seeking is of no use to getting, and the things sought are without ourselves.'
Priority note
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Central question
Why does Mencius divide seeking into what is within us and what lies outside us?
Direct answer
Because without that distinction, people pour all effort into external results and end up misjudging both responsibility and freedom. Not everything sought is equally governable.
First principle
Effective effort starts not with trying harder, but with sorting what can actually be shaped by oneself from what can only be pursued rightly and then entrusted to fate.
Why it matters
This passage fits strong search intent around effort, control, destiny, and what Mencius thinks is truly up to us.
Further reading
What this passage is doing
This is passage 3 of 46 in Jin Xin I. The cleanest entry point is "When we get by our seeking and lose…". In context, it works as part of Mencius's argument about exhausting the heart, sincerity, and preserving the original heart and can be read alongside Humane government / kingly way.
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Jin Xin I centers on exhausting the heart, sincerity, and preserving the capacities already given in the human heart.
Related principles
Citation note
Do not read 'seek and you will get' as universal success doctrine. Mencius immediately limits it by saying that some outcomes, though rightly sought, arrive only as allotted.