Life or what's right. If I can't have both, I choose right.

What it means

Mencius wants to live like anyone else, but some things matter more than staying alive. When the two collide, he keeps his principles. Know ahead of time what you will not trade, even under pressure.

The source

"Life or what's right. If I can't have both, I choose right." Mencius said it in Mencius 6A10 (告子上). Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

"生，亦我所欲也；義，亦我所欲也。二者不可得兼，舍生而取義者也。"

Original Chinese, Mencius 6A10 (告子上). 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 "Life or what's right. If I can't have both, I choose right." mean?

Mencius wants to live like anyone else, but some things matter more than staying alive. When the two collide, he keeps his principles. Know ahead of time what you will not trade, even under pressure.

Who said "Life or what's right. If I can't have both, I choose right."?

Mencius (c. 372-289 BC). Source: Mencius 6A10 (告子上).

What is the original Chinese?

生，亦我所欲也；義，亦我所欲也。二者不可得兼，舍生而取義者也。. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Life or what's right. If I can't have both, I choose right." on a shirt?

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

"Life or what's right. If I can't have both, I choose right." (Mencius, Mencius 6A10 (告子上), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/life-or-whats-right-if-i-cant-have