display all the ideas for this combination of texts
1 idea
23400 | Righteousness is extending the unthinkable, to reveal what must be done [Mengzi (Mencius)] |
Full Idea: People all have things they will not do. To extend this reaction to that which they will do is righteousness. | |
From: Mengzi (Mencius) (The Mengzi (Mencius) [c.332 BCE], 7B31), quoted by Bryan van Norden - Intro to Classical Chinese Philosophy 6.IV | |
A reaction: Very nice! Kekes points out the enormous importance of unthinkable deeds. Depravity is when the unthinkable gradually begins to look possible, which is probably a social phenomenon, a creeping cancer in a culture. |