“All states in the world, large or small, are cities of Heaven, and all people, young or old, honourable or humble, are its subjects”
Book 1; On the necessity of standards
Mozi
Context: 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 us say that it does not desire men to love and benefit one another? Hence those who love and benefit others Heaven will bless. Those who hate and harm others Heaven will curse, for it is said that he who murders the innocent will be visited by misfortune. How else can we explain the fact that men, murdering each other, will be cursed by Heaven? Thus we are certain that Heaven desires to have men love and benefit one another and abominates to have them hate and harm one another
Adopted from
Wikiquote.
Last update Aug. 22, 2024.
History
Help us to complete the source, original and additional information
Do you have more details about the quote "All states in the world, large or small, are cities of Heaven, and all people, young or old, honourable or humble, are …" by Mozi?
