The Long ConversationA timeline of world philosophy

Philosopher

Mencius

c. 372 – c. 289 BCE

Also known as Mengzi, Meng Ke

Known as the 'Second Sage' of Confucianism, he argued that human nature is good and that virtue grows from innate moral sprouts.

Painted half-length portrait of a bearded man in a white robe and dark cap
From an album of portraits of sages and worthies, Yuan dynasty (1279–1368), an imagined likeness. National Palace Museum, Taipei.Anonymous · Public domain · See the original

If men suddenly see a child about to fall into a well, they will without exception experience a feeling of alarm and distress.

Mencius 2A6, translated by James Legge

Mencius defended and developed Confucius’s teachings against rival schools. His best-known claim is that human nature is good: everyone has the “sprouts” of benevolence, righteousness, propriety and wisdom, which need cultivating as a farmer tends crops. He also argued that a ruler who oppresses the people forfeits the right to rule.

His dates are traditional; the sources agree only that he lived in the fourth century BCE.

Key ideas

Human nature is good
Mencius’s best-known claim. People naturally grow towards goodness when they are raised in surroundings that nourish them. When people become bad, it isn’t the fault of their potential.
The four sprouts
Everyone has innate but incipient tendencies towards benevolence, righteousness, propriety and wisdom, seen in feelings such as compassion for the suffering of others. Like sprouts, they must be cultivated to grow into virtues.
Graded concern
Benevolence reaches from love of one’s family to compassion for strangers and even animals, but it isn’t impartial. We have greater obligations to relatives, teachers and friends than to strangers.
Benevolent government
A truly benevolent ruler notices how his policies affect his people and pursues only those consistent with their well-being. He warned that trying to conquer the world by war is as hopeless as “climbing a tree in search of a fish”.
Tradition
Chinese
Region
State of Zou

Influences

Influenced by

Menciusc. 372 – c. 289 BCE

Influenced

Before 500 CE

500 CE – 1400

1400 – 1800

Influenced by

Menciusc. 372 – c. 289 BCE

Influenced

Before 500 CE

500 CE – 1400

1400 – 1800

Where these links come from
  • Mencius drew on Confucius. Source: Bryan Van Norden, Mencius, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
  • Mencius argued against Mozi. Source: Bryan Van Norden, Mencius, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
  • Zhuangzi argued against Mencius. Source: Chad Hansen, Zhuangzi, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
  • Xunzi argued against Mencius. Source: Paul R. Goldin, Xunzi, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
  • Wang Chong drew on and argued against Mencius. Source: Alexus McLeod, Wang Chong (Wang Ch’ung), Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
  • Zhou Dunyi drew on Mencius. Source: John Thompson, Dunyi, Zhou, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
  • Zhang Zai drew on Mencius. Source: David Elstein, Zhang Zai (Chang Tsai), Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
  • Cheng Yi drew on Mencius. Source: Wai-ying Wong, Cheng Yi, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
  • Zhu Xi drew on Mencius. Source: Kirill Thompson, Zhu Xi, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
  • Wang Yangming drew on Mencius. Source: Bryan Van Norden, Wang Yangming, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
  • Dai Zhen drew on Mencius. Source: Frank Y. C. Chong and Chris Fraser, Dai Zhen, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Key works

Sources

  1. Bryan Van Norden, Mencius, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy