A great person never loses the heart of a child.

What it means

Greatness, for Mencius, keeps the honesty and openness of a newborn. Experience should add skill, not cynicism. Grow up without hardening.

The source

"A great person never loses the heart of a child." Mencius said it in Mencius 4B12 (離婁下). Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

"大人者，不失其赤子之心者也。"

Original Chinese, Mencius 4B12 (離婁下). Text read at zh.wikisource.org.

Who said it

Mencius (c. 372-289 BC). The most important Confucian after Confucius himself. He argued that human nature is good and that a ruler's first duty is to the people.

Questions

What does "A great person never loses the heart of a child." mean?

Greatness, for Mencius, keeps the honesty and openness of a newborn. Experience should add skill, not cynicism. Grow up without hardening.

Who said "A great person never loses the heart of a child."?

Mencius (c. 372-289 BC). Source: Mencius 4B12 (離婁下).

What is the original Chinese?

大人者，不失其赤子之心者也。. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

Is "A great person never loses the heart of a child." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"A great person never loses the heart of a child." (Mencius, Mencius 4B12 (離婁下), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/a-great-person-never-loses-the-heart-of