"Let not a man do what his sense of right bids him not to do, nor desire what it forbids him to desire. This is sufficient. The skillful artist will not alter his measures for the sake of a stupid workman"

This quote by Mencius, an ancient Chinese thinker and one of the most popular Confucian thinkers, underscores the importance of sticking to one's ethical compass and the concepts of exemplary conduct. It communicates 2 central styles: the adherence to one's ethical convictions and the constancy of wisdom and virtue in the face of ignorance or incompetence.

The first part of the quote, "Let not a male do what his sense of ideal quotes him not to do, nor desire what it forbids him to desire", stresses the significance of self-regulation and moral stability. Mencius advocates for a life assisted by one's inner sense of right and incorrect. He recommends that a person's understanding of morality need to act as an assisting concept for actions and desires. By doing so, one can live genuinely and authentically, preventing actions and desires that compromise one's ethical standards. Essentially, this is a call to listen to one's conscience and permit it to govern choices rather than external pressures or temptations.

The second part, "The competent artist will not modify his procedures for the sake of a stupid workman", uses the metaphor of an artist to show the value of preserving high requirements and concepts. Even if others around you do not comprehend or value the worths and rules by which you operate, one must not compromise or reduce their standards to accommodate lack of knowledge or incompetence. The "skilled artist" represents an individual grounded in wisdom and virtue, who remains unfaltering in their practices and principles in spite of external obstacles or misconceptions.

Together, this quote reflects Mencius's belief in the intrinsic worth of righteousness and stability. It urges individuals to remain true to their ethical beliefs and to not allow the mediocrity or misunderstanding of others to sway their commitment to virtue. This message remains appropriate in contemporary times, motivating us to live by our values in the middle of various societal and individual obstacles.