See a child about to fall into a well, and compassion beats you to it

Mencius argued anyone who suddenly saw a child toddling toward a well would feel alarm and concern instantly, before any thought of reward or reputation. He used this to argue human nature is fundamentally good, compassion being one of four innate moral 'sprouts.'

— Mengzi (Mencius), Mencius — Mencius 2A6, c. 4th century BCE