Mencius

Mencius or Mengzi (c. 371-c. 288 bc), founding figure of Confucian Chinese philosophy. Born into a noble family in the tiny Zhou dynasty feudal state of Zou (now in Shandong Province), adjoining the birthplace of Confucius in the state of Lu, Mencius (also known as Mengtse) studied Confucianism with Confucius's grandson. He later travelled China for years expounding Confucianism and lecturing rulers on their duties toward their subjects, gaining ministerial office in the state of Qi, which was famed for its Confucian academy. He believed that the power to govern comes from Heaven (Tian), and should be exercised in the interests of the common people. Heaven would punish tyrants by visiting their realms with natural catastrophes; while the people would also obey Heaven's will if they deposed tyrants. Mencius opposed warfare except for purposes of defence. According to tradition, he spent the latter part of his life in seclusion with his disciples in his home state, having returned a disappointed man. In his teachings he stressed the belief that people are by nature good, but that this goodness needs cultivation which in turn depends on material security. If rulers, therefore, reduce their subjects to poverty and selfishness, they should be deposed. Mencius also apparently had some belief in forms of meditation resembling yoga, which developed the natural force of the individual as morality developed their hearts. The Mengzi (Book of Mencius), almost certainly written by Mencius himself, is regarded as a basic Confucian text, one of the Sishu (Four Books) of Confucianism. Especially since the development of Neo-Confucianism in the 11th century, Mencius has been recognized as one of China's greatest philosophers, second only to Confucius himself.