Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Mencius Quote “To act without clear understanding, to form habits without investigation, to follow a path all one's life without knowing where it really leads -- such is the behavior of the multitude.” ~ Mencius [Mengzi Meng-tse] (c.371 - c.288 B.C.) Chinese Confucian philosopher Independence , Society , Oppression , Knowledge , Wisdom , Proverbs , China Ratings and Comments 1 Reply Anonymous, Reston, VA US 12/28/06 Sad, but true of the human condition... 3 Reply E Archer, NYC 12/28/06 Only a person that dares think for him/herself would even recognize this simple observation. Reply EGL, LA 12/28/06 I agree as it applies to the masses living the unexamined life...but in a twist it also in a positive way applies to the life of an artist. 2 Reply Logan, Memphis, TN 12/29/06 Ah, following after the multitude: truth determined by majority vote. Reply Joe, Rochester, MI 1/3/07 My mind's eye flashed with thoughts of Mel Gibson's belief that the holocaust is a hoax. His ignorance may be because he acts "without clear understanding...". There are other atrocities in history, some greater, some lesser, than the Jewish holocaust. 1 Reply jimbob, Taylor County, Kentucky CSA 1/17/07 the quote gets 5 stars but joe's statement gets a zero. If the useless newswhores would look in depth at what gibson may have meant instead of using it as propaganda for their purposes the sheeple might actually learn something. But alas, that's not the newswhores' job. And the 'holocaust?' Real or not it has been turned into an unassailable moneymaking dogma by certain groups, mostly secular marxist organizations, that use it to further and protect their progress toward destroying what's left of the the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. You need to re-read the quote a few more times. Joe. Reply Anonymous 2/8/11 1 Reply Mike, Norwalk 1/29/15 Welcome to Amerika, where the socialist's propaganda bites reign supreme. 1 Reply Bob, Charlotte, VT 1/29/15 Can't now source it, but ..."Everyone's queer save me and thee and sometimes I think even thou art a little queer." OR -- "The pot calling the kettle black."OR -- how long since you've checked YOUR mirror ? 2 Reply z, la, ca 1/29/15 to Bob, Charlotte, VTyour source is Robert Owen, founder of Utopian SocialismI also think EGL, LA has an interesting observation ...five stars for several reasons some obvious, some not so. 12Reply Robert, St. Emilion, France 1/31/15 You guys are crazy - talk about "understanding" you really need to do some homework as to the cause of Americas demise. It sure has nothing to do with the secular or socialist movements. Just look who owns the press, the corporations, and the banks, and who is really in control. I see this great land is now going to imprison those who criticize the use of vaccinations... America needs a total replacement of all political parties with a socialist government... Fascism is is becoming the American way and no one seems to care as long as their little bubble is not being effected... The Multitude has yet to understand......... Reply Ronw13, ID 7/12/23 1 Reply Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown 7/12/23 If I understand this correctly this Chinese fellow is describing the existing practices of the majority of individuals on this planet. Agreed. SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Mencius quote is found in these categories: Independence quotes Society quotes Oppression quotes Knowledge quotes Wisdom quotes Proverbs quotes China quotes About Mencius Bio of Mencius Quotations by Mencius Books by/about Mencius Mencius videos Mencius on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Mencius