mèngzǐ: 孟子 - Mencius

• Keywords: Mencius, Mengzi, 孟子, Chinese philosopher, Confucianism, Second Sage, innate goodness of human nature, xing shan lun, Meng Ke, Four Books, Chinese philosophy, Warring States Period, Confucian sage.
• Summary: Discover Mengzi (孟子), the influential Chinese philosopher known in the West as Mencius. As the most famous successor to Confucius, Mencius is celebrated as the “Second Sage” of Confucianism. His core philosophy, that human nature is innately good, has profoundly shaped Chinese culture and thought for over two millennia. This page explores the life, ideas, and modern relevance of this foundational figure in Chinese philosophy.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): mèngzǐ
• Part of Speech: Proper Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: Mencius (c. 372–289 BC), a major Confucian philosopher often called the “Second Sage” after Confucius.
• In a Nutshell: “Mèngzǐ” is the Chinese name for the philosopher we call Mencius. Think of him as the most important student and interpreter of Confucius's ideas. His big idea was that all people are born with a natural inclination towards goodness, just like a seed has the potential to grow into a plant. He argued that society's job is to nurture this goodness through education and a benevolent government.

• 孟 (mèng): This is a common Chinese surname. In ancient contexts, it could also refer to the eldest among brothers or the first month of a season, implying seniority. Here, it is simply his family name.
• 子 (zǐ): While its most common meaning is “child” or “son,” in this context it's a very important honorific suffix meaning “Master” or “Teacher.” It was attached to the names of respected scholars and philosophers in ancient China, such as `孔子 (Kǒngzǐ - Confucius)` and `老子 (Lǎozǐ - Laozi)`.

Together, 孟子 (Mèngzǐ) literally means “Master Meng.”

Mencius is arguably the second-most influential figure in Chinese history, after Confucius himself. His interpretation of Confucianism became the orthodox and officially endorsed version for most of China's imperial history. His most defining contribution is the theory of innate human goodness (性善论, xìng shàn lùn). To explain this, he used a famous thought experiment: imagine anyone, even a cruel tyrant, suddenly seeing a child about to fall into a well. Mencius argued that their immediate, unthinking reaction would be a feeling of alarm and compassion. This feeling isn't for personal gain or to win favor with the child's parents; it's an instantaneous, natural human response. He called this and other similar feelings the “Four Sprouts” (四端, sì duān):

• Compassion is the sprout of Benevolence (仁, rén).
• Shame and Dislike is the sprout of Righteousness (义, yì).
• Modesty and Deference is the sprout of Propriety (礼, lǐ).
• The sense of Right and Wrong is the sprout of Wisdom (智, zhì).

For Mencius, the goal of life and education is to cultivate these sprouts into fully grown virtues. A useful Western comparison is the philosophical debate on human nature between Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Thomas Hobbes. Mencius is very much in the Rousseau camp, believing that humans are born good and are corrupted by poor environments and bad governance. This contrasts sharply with a later Confucian scholar, Xunzi (荀子), whose views were closer to Hobbes, arguing that human nature is inherently selfish and must be corrected through strict ritual and law.

While you won't use “Mencius” in everyday small talk about the weather, his name and ideas are deeply embedded in Chinese culture and conversation, especially in more formal or educational contexts.

• In Education and Philosophy: The book containing his teachings, also called the Mencius (《孟子》), is one of the “Four Books” (四书, Sì Shū), the foundational texts of Confucianism. Students of literature, history, and philosophy in China study his work extensively. You'll hear his name constantly in academic discussions, museum exhibits, and historical documentaries.
• As a Source of Idioms (Chengyu): Many common Chinese idioms come directly from stories in the Mencius. Using one of these shows a good command of the language and cultural background. For example, `五十步笑百步 (wǔ shí bù xiào bǎi bù)`, which means “the one who retreats 50 steps laughs at the one who retreats 100,” is used to criticize someone for faulting another for a mistake they are also guilty of, just to a lesser degree.
• As a Moral Authority: In discussions about ethics, governance, or child-rearing, someone might invoke Mencius's name to add weight to their argument. For example, a parent might say, “Even Mencius said that children are naturally good; we just need to guide them properly.”

• Example 1:
  • 孟子是中国古代伟大的思想家。
  • Pinyin: Mèngzǐ shì Zhōngguó gǔdài wěidà de sīxiǎngjiā.
  • English: Mencius was a great thinker of ancient China.
  • Analysis: A simple, declarative sentence you might find in a textbook. It establishes his identity.
• Example 2:
  • 孟子认为人性本善。
  • Pinyin: Mèngzǐ rènwéi rénxìng běn shàn.
  • English: Mencius believed that human nature is innately good.
  • Analysis: This sentence summarizes his most famous philosophical stance. `人性本善 (rénxìng běn shàn)` is a set phrase directly translating his core idea.
• Example 3:
  • 我们的国文课正在学习《孟子》。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de guówén kè zhèngzài xuéxí “Mèngzǐ”.
  • English: Our Chinese literature class is currently studying the “Mencius”.
  • Analysis: Note that the book and the person share the same name. The context (学习, xuéxí - to study) makes it clear that they are referring to the text.
• Example 4:
  • “五十步笑百步”这个成语就出自《孟子》。
  • Pinyin: “Wǔ shí bù xiào bǎi bù” zhège chéngyǔ jiù chūzì “Mèngzǐ”.
  • English: The idiom “fifty steps laughing at one hundred steps” comes from the “Mencius”.
  • Analysis: This shows how Mencius is a source of modern vocabulary and idioms. `出自 (chūzì)` means “comes from” or “originates in”.
• Example 5:
  • 在儒家传统中，孟子的地位仅次于孔子。
  • Pinyin: Zài Rújiā chuántǒng zhōng, Mèngzǐ de dìwèi jǐn cìyú Kǒngzǐ.
  • English: In the Confucian tradition, Mencius's status is second only to Confucius.
  • Analysis: This sentence explains his ranking within the philosophical school. `仅次于 (jǐn cìyú)` is a useful pattern meaning “second only to”.
• Example 6:
  • 孟子的仁政思想对后世影响深远。
  • Pinyin: Mèngzǐ de rénzhèng sīxiǎng duì hòushì yǐngxiǎng shēnyuǎn.
  • English: Mencius's ideas on benevolent governance had a profound influence on later generations.
  • Analysis: This highlights another key part of his philosophy: `仁政 (rénzhèng)`, or benevolent rule, which he believed was the only stable form of government.
• Example 7:
  • 你不能这样做，想想孟子会怎么说！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng zhèyàng zuò, xiǎngxiang Mèngzǐ huì zěnme shuō!
  • English: You can't do that, think about what Mencius would say!
  • Analysis: A hypothetical example of someone invoking Mencius as a moral guide or conscience.
• Example 8:
  • 我们去山东旅游时，参观了孟子的故里。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen qù Shāndōng lǚyóu shí, cānguān le Mèngzǐ de gùlǐ.
  • English: When we traveled to Shandong, we visited Mencius's hometown.
  • Analysis: Shows how historical figures are connected to real places in modern China. `故里 (gùlǐ)` is a formal word for “hometown”.
• Example 9:
  • 孟子用“孺子入井”的故事来说明恻隐之心。
  • Pinyin: Mèngzǐ yòng “rú zǐ rù jǐng” de gùshi lái shuōmíng cèyǐn zhī xīn.
  • English: Mencius used the story of the “child falling into the well” to explain the feeling of compassion.
  • Analysis: This refers to his famous thought experiment. `恻隐之心 (cèyǐn zhī xīn)` is the specific term for the heart/mind of compassion, one of the Four Sprouts.
• Example 10:
  • 虽然孟子和荀子的观点相反，但他们都是儒家大师。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán Mèngzǐ hé Xúnzǐ de guāndiǎn xiāngfǎn, dàn tāmen dōu shì Rújiā dàshī.
  • English: Although the views of Mencius and Xunzi are opposite, they are both great masters of Confucianism.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides important context by contrasting him with his philosophical rival, Xunzi.

• Confusing Mencius with Confucius: This is the most common mistake for beginners. Remember: Confucius (`孔子, Kǒngzǐ`) came first and founded the school of thought. Mencius (`孟子, Mèngzǐ`) came about a century later and was its most brilliant developer and defender. He is to Confucius what Plato was to Socrates.
• Misinterpreting `子 (zǐ)`: Never translate `孟子` as “Meng's son.” In this philosophical context, `子 (zǐ)` is the honorific “Master.” His actual given name was Kē (轲). So, his full name was Mèng Kē, but he is almost always referred to respectfully as Mèngzǐ.
• Oversimplifying “Innate Goodness”: Mencius didn't believe people were born perfect. He argued they have the innate potential or “sprouts” for goodness. If this potential is not nurtured through education, self-reflection, and a good environment, a person can easily become evil. His philosophy is a call to action, not a statement of fact about every individual's behavior.

• 孔子 (Kǒngzǐ) - Confucius. The founder of Confucianism, the “First Sage” whom Mencius followed and championed.
• 儒家 (Rújiā) - Confucianism. The philosophical school to which both Confucius and Mencius belonged.
• 性善论 (xìng shàn lùn) - The Theory of Innate Goodness. Mencius's core philosophical doctrine.
• 亚圣 (Yà Shèng) - The Second Sage. Mencius's official title, placing him second only to Confucius in the Confucian pantheon.
• 四书 (Sì Shū) - The Four Books. The core texts of orthodox Confucianism, one of which is the Mencius.
• 荀子 (Xúnzǐ) - Xunzi. A prominent Confucian philosopher who famously argued against Mencius, positing that human nature is inherently bad (`性恶论, xìng è lùn`) and requires strict training.
• 仁 (rén) - Benevolence, humaneness. A core Confucian virtue that Mencius identified as one of the “Four Sprouts.”
• 义 (yì) - Righteousness, justice. Another of the “Four Sprouts” and a central theme in Mencius's thought.
• 五十步笑百步 (wǔ shí bù xiào bǎi bù) - “Fifty steps laugh at one hundred steps.” A famous idiom from a parable in the Mencius.