If you desire what is good, the people will be good. The character of a ruler is like wind and that of the people is like grass. In whatever direction the wind blows the grass always bends.

Confucius

Quoted in Analects

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More information about this quote

Topic

Political leadership The masses Grass

Speaker

Confucius

Source

Analects

Genre

Philosophical literature

Statement Type

Metaphor, analogy and simile

Language

Chinese

Time

221 BC 220s BC 3rd century BC

Occupation

Philosopher

From

China Asia

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Confucius. 論語 [The Analects]. c. 479 BCE.

Current Citation

Confucius. The Analects, edited and translated by Annping Chin. Penguin Classics, 2014.

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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote about The masses

Are you not entertained?

Gladiator

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More information about this quote
Topic
Entertainment The masses
Speaker
Maximus Decimus Meridius
Actor
Russell Crowe
Source
Gladiator
Medium
Film
Genre
Historical drama (film) Drama (film) Historical drama Drama
Statement Type
Question
Language
English
Time
2000 2000s 21st century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Gladiator. Directed by Ridley Scott. DreamWorks Pictures/ Scott Free Productions/Universal Pictures/Red Wagon Entertainment, 2000.

Another quote originally in Chinese

A revolution is not the same as inviting people to dinner, or writing an essay, or painting a picture... A revolution is an insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows another.

Mao Zedong

More information about this quote
Topic
Revolution

Author

Mao Zedong
Genre
Political literature
Statement Type
Definition
Language
Chinese
Time
1927 1920s 20th century
Authentication Score 2
Citation

Zedong, Mao. "湖南农民运动考察报告 [Report on an Investigation of the Peasant Movement in Hunan]." Zhongyang Fukan, 28 Mar. 1927.

Another quote of the following type Metaphor, analogy and simile

My body was like a harp and her words and gestures were like fingers running upon the wires.

James Joyce

Araby

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More information about this quote
Topic
Being in love

Author

James Joyce
Source
Araby Dubliners
Medium
Short story
Statement Type
Metaphor, analogy and simile
Language
English
Time
1914 1910s 20th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Joyce, James. “Araby.” Dubliners. Grant Richards Ltd., 1914.

Current Citation

Joyce, James. “Araby.” Dubliners, edited by Terence Brown. Penguin Classics, 2014.