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Also known as: Meng K’o, Meng-tzu, Mengzi
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Mencius
Mencius
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Category: History & Society
(Latin), Chinese (Pinyin):
Mengzi or
(Wade-Giles):
Meng-tzu
Original name (Wade-Giles):
Meng K’o
Born:
c. 371, ancient state of Zou, China
Died:
c. 289 bce, China
Notable Works:
“Mencius”
Subjects Of Study:
Confucianism
good and evil
human nature
ren
siduan
See all related content →

Mencius (born c. 371, ancient state of Zou, China—died c. 289 bce, China) was an early Chinese philosopher whose development of orthodox Confucianism earned him the title “second sage.” Chief among his basic tenets was an emphasis on the obligation of rulers to provide for the common people. The book Mencius records his doings and sayings and contains statements on the goodness of human nature, a topic warmly debated by Confucianists up to modern times. Of noble origin, the Meng family settled in the state of Zou, a minor state in the present province of Shantung. Mencius was born there ...(100 of 1016 words)

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