Mencius (flourished 4th century BCE)
“Benevolence brings honour; cruelty, disgrace. Now people who dwell in cruelty while disliking disgrace are like those who are content to dwell in a low-lying place while disliking dampness.”
- From The Mencius (Book II, Part A) by Mencius, translated by D. C. Lau (Penguin Classics, 2003).