Jining – Hometown of Mencius

　　Mencius began, from the age of 40, in addition to teaching disciples, to engage with political figures from various states, traveling among the feudal lords to promote his own ideas and political beliefs. The core of Mencius’s political thought was “benevolent governance.” This doctrine is an inheritance and development of Confucius’s philosophy of “benevolence.” Confucius’s “benevolence” is an extremely broad ethical concept, whose most fundamental spirit is “to love others.” Building on Confucius’s idea of benevolence, Mencius expanded it into a comprehensive policy platform encompassing thought, politics, economy, and culture — this became known as “benevolent governance.” The fundamental spirit of “benevolent governance” also involves deep compassion and care for the people.

　　Mencius’s "benevolent governance" politically advocates for “putting the people first.” Mencius believed that for a country, “the people are the most important, the state comes next, and the ruler is the least important.” He also said: If the ruler makes mistakes, his subjects can advise him; if he refuses to listen despite repeated advice, then he can be overthrown.

　　 Jining City, Shandong Province

　　Mencius (372 BCE~289 BCE)　　Mencius (approximately 372–289 BCE), a thinker, politician, and educator of the Warring States period, was a representative figure of the Confucian Si-Meng school; his given name was Ke, courtesy name Ziyu, and he was a native of Zou in the State of Lu (present-day southeastern Zoucheng, Shandong). He is regarded as the successor to Confucius’s teachings and honored as the “Second Sage.” Legend has it that Mencius was a descendant of the noble Mengsun clan of the State of Lu. Orphaned at a young age and raised in poverty, he studied under the disciples of Zisi. After completing his studies, he traveled among the feudal lords as a scholar, attempting to promote his political ideals. He visited the states of Liang (Wei), Qi, Song, and Teng. Although he was once honored as a guest minister by King Xuan of Qi, he ultimately went unrecognized. In his later years, he retired to teach and... Details+