Mencius (孟子)

Title: Mencius (孟子)
Chinese Title: 孟子
Romanizations: Mengzi; Meng zi; Meng-tzu
Author(s): Mencius
Year: Late 4th century BCE
Summary: The Mengzi (or Mencius) is a foundational Confucian text documenting the dialogues of the philosopher Meng Ke. Its central thesis is that human nature is inherently good (renxing shan), possessing innate seeds of compassion, ritual propriety, wisdom, and righteousness.

Mencius argued that just as water naturally flows downward, humans are naturally inclined toward virtue, though external pressures can corrupt this state. Politically, he advocated for ‘benevolent government’ (renzheng), asserting that rulers exist for the people’s welfare. He famously justified the removal of tyrants who fail their moral duty, prioritizing the populace over the state or the sovereign.

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Items with "Classical source(s): Mencius (孟子)"
Title	Class
From Confucius to Zhu Xi	Translation
Les Livres Classiques de l’Empire de la Chine, recueillis par le Pere F. Noel, précédés d’Observations sur l’origine, la nature & les effets de la philosophie morale & politique dans cet empire.	Translation
Les Livres Sacrés de L'Orient	Translation
Mencius ex sinico in latinum idioma traductus	Translation
Philosophia sinica tribus tractatibus	Translation
Sinensis Imperii Libri Classici Sex	Translation
四书 Les Quatre Livres	Translation