Mencius
Mencius
371 av. J.-C. — 288 av. J.-C.
État Zou
Mencius was a Chinese philosopher of the 4th century BCE, considered the second great sage of Confucianism after Confucius. He developed the idea that human nature is fundamentally good and that a legitimate ruler must govern with benevolence. His work, the Mengzi, is one of the Four Books of the Confucian canon.
Famous Quotes
« Man's nature is naturally good, just as water naturally flows downward. »
« The people are the most important element in a nation; the spirits of the land and grain come next; the sovereign counts the least. »
Key Facts
- Born around 371 BCE in the state of Zou (present-day Shandong province, China)
- A follower of Confucian thought, transmitted through the school of Zisi (Confucius's grandson)
- Traveled from court to court advising rulers on the art of governing with virtue
- Championed the theory of the innate goodness of human nature (xing shan)
- Died around 288 BCE; his conversations were compiled in the Mengzi, ranked among the Four Books of Confucianism
Works & Achievements
A collection of dialogues between Mencius, his disciples, and various rulers, organized into seven books. It is the foundational work of classical Confucianism, incorporated into the canon of the Four Books by Zhu Xi in the 12th century.
The first book of the Mengzi, devoted to exchanges with the king of Wei on benevolence, righteousness, and good governance. It illustrates Mencius's central political vision: the legitimate ruler governs for the benefit of the people.
A major theoretical development on the innate goodness of human nature, articulated around four natural dispositions: compassion, shame, modesty, and moral discernment. This is a foundational text of Confucian anthropology.
A passage in which Mencius asserts that a tyrannical ruler forfeits his heavenly mandate and may legitimately be overthrown. This bold idea profoundly influenced Chinese political philosophy for two millennia.
Anecdotes
Mencius's mother is famous for having moved three times in search of the best environment for her son's education. She finally settled near a school, believing that proximity to learning was essential to the formation of character. This story, known as 'Mencius's mother moves three times,' has remained a model of education in China.
Mencius once refused a sum of gold offered by the King of Qi in gratitude for his teachings. He explained that accepting a gift without legitimate cause would be a form of corruption of the soul. This episode illustrates his commitment to moral integrity above any material consideration.
During an audience with King Hui of Liang, the king asked Mencius how to enrich his kingdom. Mencius replied that a king should not think about profit, but about benevolence and justice. This bold answer shocked the ruler, yet it sums up the entire political philosophy of Mencius.
Mencius once compared a man who neglects the cultivation of his mind to a farmer who yanks his young seedlings upward to make them grow faster — and kills them in doing so. This metaphor emphasized that virtue must develop naturally, without forcing or rushing.
Mencius traveled from court to court for years, trying to persuade rulers to govern with humanity (ren). None truly listened, and he eventually withdrew to teach and compile his dialogues with his disciples. His journey echoes that of Confucius, his primary spiritual reference.
Primary Sources
King Hui of Liang said: 'Old man, you have not considered the distance too great to come here. You surely bring something profitable for my kingdom?' Mencius replied: 'Why speak of profit? What matters is benevolence and righteousness.'
Mencius said: 'Human nature is good, just as water naturally flows downward. There is no man who is not good, just as there is no water that does not flow downward.'
Mencius said: 'I have heard that a man named Zhou (the last Shang king) was killed. I have not heard that a king was killed.' A ruler who betrays benevolence and righteousness is no longer a king but merely a common man.
Mencius said: 'Compassion is the sprout of benevolence; shame is the sprout of righteousness; modesty is the sprout of propriety; the sense of right and wrong is the sprout of wisdom. Every man possesses these four sprouts within himself.'
Key Places
Mencius's birthplace, a small vassal principality of Lu where he was born and spent his childhood. It was here that his celebrated mother watched over his education, moving several times to shield him from bad influences.
Capital of the state of Wei, where Mencius stayed and engaged in his first major political dialogues recorded in the Mengzi. It was here that he formulated his celebrated response on benevolence versus profit.
Capital of the state of Qi, one of the most powerful kingdoms of the era, where Mencius held the greatest hope of finding a ruler receptive to his ideas of humane governance. He resided there for several years.
An exceptional intellectual center founded by the kingdom of Qi, where thinkers from the Hundred Schools of Thought gathered. Mencius debated his Confucian ideas there against the arguments of Legalists, Mohists, and Taoists.
A commemorative complex built in honor of Mencius as early as the Han dynasty and expanded under the Song and Ming dynasties. It remains a major historical site today and stands as a testament to the status of 'Second Sage' bestowed upon Mencius.