Mencius - Book 4, Part 2, Chapter 22

Mencius said, 'The influence of a sovereign sage terminates in the fifth generation. The influence of a mere sage does the same.

'Although I could not be a disciple of Confucius himself, I have endeavored to cultivate my virtue by means of others who were.'
~ James Legge translation via nothingistic.org ~

Go here to read the introductory post to this serialized version of the Works of Mencius.