Mozi Quotes on Knowledge
Mozi (Mo Di, c. 470 – c. 391 BC), the principal philosophical opponent of the early Confucian school and the founder of the organized Mohist tradition that would persist through the Warring States period, defended in the surviving fifty-three chapters of the Mozi a comprehensive philosophical programme — universal love (jian'ai), the rejection of aggressive warfare, frugal use, the criticism of elaborate musical and funeral practices, the doctrine of the will of Heaven — that he tested at every turn against three standards (san biao): historical precedent, common experience, and the practical consequences of implementing the doctrine. The framework grounds one of the earliest explicit consequentialist epistemologies in the world's philosophical traditions.
Quotes
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“Book 1; Befriending the Learned”
If one does not preserve the learned in a state he will be injuring the state ; if one is not zealous (to recommend) the virtuous upon seeing one, he will be neglecting the ruler. Enthusiasm is to be shown only to the virtuous, and plans for the country are only to be shared with the learned. Few are those, who, neglecting the virtuous and slighting the learned, could still maintain the existence -
“Variant translation: To enter upon rulership of a country but not preserve its scholars will result in the downfall of the country. To see the worthy but not hasten to them will make the country's ruler less able to perform his duties. To the unworthy is due no attention. The ignorant should remain without inclusion in the state's affairs. To impede the virtuous and neglect the scholarly and still maintain the survival of the state has yet to be, indeed.”
If one does not preserve the learned in a state he will be injuring the state ; if one is not zealous (to recommend) the virtuous upon seeing one, he will be neglecting the ruler. Enthusiasm is to be shown only to the virtuous, and plans for the country are only to be shared with the learned. Few are those, who, neglecting the virtuous and slighting the learned, could still maintain the existence -
“To accomplish anything whatsoever one must have standards. None have yet accomplished anything without them.”
Book 1; On the necessity of standards -
“Book 1; On the necessity of standards”
To accomplish anything whatsoever one must have standards. None have yet accomplished anything without them. -
“Book 1; On the necessity of standards”
All states in the world , large or small, are cities of Heaven , and all people, young or old, honourable or humble, are its subjects ; for they all graze oxen and sheep, feed dogs and pigs, and prepare clean wine and cakes to sacrifice to Heaven. Does this not mean that Heaven claims all and accepts offerings from all? Since Heaven does claim all and accepts offerings from all, what then can make -
“The words of malicious slander should not be allowed to enter the ear. A defensive voice should not be allowed to come out of the mouth. The want to gravely injure people should not be allowed to exist in the heart. If this is accomplished, though there be people who cynically expose others, they would be without people who would align with them.”
Book 1; Self-culfivation -
“Book 1; Self-culfivation”
The words of malicious slander should not be allowed to enter the ear. A defensive voice should not be allowed to come out of the mouth. The want to gravely injure people should not be allowed to exist in the heart. If this is accomplished, though there be people who cynically expose others, they would be without people who would align with them. -
“The wise man who has charge of governing the empire should know the cause of disorder before he can put it in order. Unless he knows its cause, he cannot regulate it.”
Mozi | Book 4; Universal Love I