Philip J. Ivanhoe > Quotes

“Not to know but to believe that one knows is a disease.”
― Philip J. Ivanhoe, Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy

“If the people starve themselves in this manner then they will be unable to withstand the cold of winter or the heat of summer and countless numbers of them will grow ill and die.”
― Philip J. Ivanhoe, Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy

“something is fated to occur, then no matter how hard one tries to change this, what good will it do?’ Above they use this doctrine to persuade the kings, dukes, and great officials and below they deploy it to interfere with work of the people.”
― Philip J. Ivanhoe, Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy

“he sees that it does not accord with the practices of the sage-kings of old and does not promote the benefit of the people in the world today. And so our teacher Mozi says, “Musical performances are wrong!”
― Philip J. Ivanhoe, Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy

“For those who have not yet grasped the Way but are seeking the Way, I say: Emptiness, single-mindedness, and stillness—make these be your principles. If”
― Philip J. Ivanhoe, Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy

“The court is resplendent; Yet the fields are overgrown. The granaries are empty; Yet some wear elegant clothes; Fine swords dangle at their sides; They are stuffed with food and drink; And possess wealth in gross abundance. This is known as taking pride in robbery. Far is this from the Way!”
― Philip J. Ivanhoe, Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy

“If they employ men to make music, then these men must abandon their work of ploughing, planting, and cultivation.”
― Philip J. Ivanhoe, Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy

“Mengzi responded, “If Your Majesty regards them as excellent, then why do you not put them into practice?” The King said, “We have a weakness. We are fond of wealth.”
― Philip J. Ivanhoe, Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy

“To lack a constant livelihood, yet to have a constant heart—only a scholar is capable of this.”
― Philip J. Ivanhoe, Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy

“When one develops one’s natural needs, desires, inclinations, and capacities in ways that harmonise and unify one’s inner psychological states and fits these into a grand natural order that facilitates successful action in the world, and when one reaches the point where one regularly and spontaneously achieves these dual aims, one feels that one is one’s element, has found one’s home, and is performing one’s proper role in the world. Such action generates a special feeling of joy or happiness not only for those who behave this way but also for those who observe such behaviour.”
― Philip J. Ivanhoe, Oneness: East Asian Conceptions of Virtue, Happiness, and How We Are All Connected

“If we look to see whether heavily taxing the people to produce the sounds of great bells, drums, zithers, and pipes promotes the benefit of the people of the world and eliminates what is harmful to them, we see that it offers no such help.”
― Philip J. Ivanhoe, Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy