When something doesn't work, look for the cause in yourself.

What it means

If people don't respond to your kindness or your leadership, Mencius says, turn around and examine your own conduct. It is the one variable you can change today. Start the review with yourself.

The source

"When something doesn't work, look for the cause in yourself." Mencius said it in Mencius 4A4 (離婁上). Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

"行有不得者，皆反求諸己。"

Original Chinese, Mencius 4A4 (離婁上). 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 "When something doesn't work, look for the cause in yourself." mean?

If people don't respond to your kindness or your leadership, Mencius says, turn around and examine your own conduct. It is the one variable you can change today. Start the review with yourself.

Who said "When something doesn't work, look for the cause in yourself."?

Mencius (c. 372-289 BC). Source: Mencius 4A4 (離婁上).

What is the original Chinese?

行有不得者，皆反求諸己。. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

Is "When something doesn't work, look for the cause in yourself." on a shirt?

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

"When something doesn't work, look for the cause in yourself." (Mencius, Mencius 4A4 (離婁上), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/when-something-doesnt-work-look-for-the-cause