What Mencius thinks about government

@mencius · 8 positions · 0 changes of mind

Confucian philosopher of the fourth century BCE, said to have been born in the state of Zou; known for the claim that human nature is good, his teaching survives in the Mengzi, a collection of his dialogues, debates and sayings probably compiled by his disciples.

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Mencius did not write this page.

We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.

5 dated positions, c. 400–301 BCE, in their own words. Our reading of what Mencius has said — not written or endorsed by them.

1. c. 400–301 BCE

   Our readingIf a ruler asks only what will profit his kingdom, high and low will seize profit from each other and the kingdom will be endangered

   Their wordsSuperiors and inferiors will try to take the profit the one from the other, and the kingdom will be endangered.

   ↗The Sayings of Mencius, as compiled by his disciples (tr. James Legge, in Chinese Literature, 1900)gutenberg.org All 8 from this book

3. c. 400–301 BCE

   Our readingRulers who are wise and good take pleasure in their parks; those who are not cannot enjoy them

   Their wordsBeing wise and good, they then have pleasure in these things. If they are not wise and good, though they have these things, they do not find pleasure.

   ↗The Sayings of Mencius, as compiled by his disciples (tr. James Legge, in Chinese Literature, 1900)gutenberg.org All 8 from this book

5. c. 400–301 BCE

   Our readingA ruler who keeps fat horses while his people starve is leading beasts to devour men

   Their wordsIn your stalls there are fat beasts; in your stables there are fat horses. But your people have the look of hunger, and in the fields there are those who have died of famine. This is leading on beasts to devour men.

   ↗The Sayings of Mencius, as compiled by his disciples (tr. James Legge, in Chinese Literature, 1900)gutenberg.org All 8 from this book

7. c. 400–301 BCE

   Our readingThe realm can be united by a ruler who takes no pleasure in killing people

   Their wordsHe who has no pleasure in killing men can so unite it.

   ↗The Sayings of Mencius, as compiled by his disciples (tr. James Legge, in Chinese Literature, 1900)gutenberg.org All 8 from this book

9. c. 400–301 BCE

   Our readingPunishing people who fell into crime for want of a livelihood is entrapping them

   Their wordsWhen they have thus been involved in crime, to follow them up and punish them, is to entrap the people.

   ↗The Sayings of Mencius, as compiled by his disciples (tr. James Legge, in Chinese Literature, 1900)gutenberg.org All 8 from this book