Mengzi 孟子

About the Author

Mengzi (孟子), also known as Mencius, was a pivotal Chinese philosopher of the Warring States period (circa 372–289 BCE), revered as one of the four great sages of Confucianism. Born in the state of Zou, he traveled extensively, advising rulers on ethical governance and moral cultivation, emphasizing the innate goodness of human nature and the importance of benevolence (ren) and righteousness (yi) in society. His teachings, which built upon and expanded Confucius's ideas, profoundly influenced East Asian thought, politics, and ethics for millennia. Collected in the seminal text Mengzi: Bilingual Edition, English and Chinese: 孟子, his dialogues and parables offer timeless insights into self-improvement, just leadership, and harmonious social order, making him a cornerstone of classical Chinese philosophy.