"He who loves others is constantly loved by them. He who respects others is constantly respected by them."
— Mencius
He Who Loves Others Is Constantly
He who loves others is constantly loved by them. He who respects others is constantly respected by them.
About this quote
From Mengzi 4B, reflecting Mencius's belief that virtue is inherently relational and reciprocal. For Mencius, a follower of Confucius, love and respect were not merely personal dispositions but social forces: how one treats others shapes how one is treated in return. This reciprocity was central to his argument that benevolent governance produces loyal subjects — a ruler who loves his people will find they love him back.
Source
Mencius, Book 4B