Mencius Ke, the same name as the ancient Mencius
Or, Mencius Ren, Meng Zizheng
Mencius (372 BC - 289 BC) named Ke, a Lu scholar in the middle of the Warring States Period A native of Zou. He was a disciple of Zisi (a grandson of Confucius), and he traveled to Song, Teng, Wei, Qi and other countries, expounding his political ideas, and also served as a minister in Qi. In his later years, he retired and wrote books, among which seven chapters of "Mencius" have been handed down. He was a representative of Confucianism in the mid-Warring States Period.
Mencius’ thought comes from Confucius. Mencius developed Confucius' "benevolence" into the theory of "benevolent government". He believes that to implement "benevolent government", it is necessary to "ensure the people have a constant output", so that each farmer has a hundred acres of land, a five-acre house, and the minimum means of production; "Don't take away the farming time" and ensure that farmers have time to work; " "Save penalties, reduce taxes and collect" so that the people have the lowest material living conditions; strengthen moral education so that the people understand the principles of "filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty and trust". Mencius saw the suffering of the people being exploited and oppressed by the feudal landlord class, and attempted to adopt these measures to ease class conflicts and consolidate the rule of the landlord class. However, it was still beneficial to the development of production. Connected with the theory of "benevolent government", Mencius also put forward the idea that "the people are more valuable than the emperor", saying: "The people are the most important, followed by the country, and the emperor is despised" ("Mencius: Trying My Heart"). He believed that a monarch could only obtain and maintain a dominant position if he had the support of the people. Therefore, he advocated that the monarch should implement "benevolent government" and "share happiness" with the people. The people of the country can kill the king who harms the people. King Zhou of Shang Dynasty was a famous tyrant in history. King Wu attacked Zhou. He thought it was right to kill him and said: "I have heard that Zhou killed a man, but I have never heard of regicide" ("Mencius: King Hui of Liang"). Although Mencius sympathized with the people and condemned tyrants, his political thoughts still upheld the feudal system, so he also preached: "Those who work hard govern others, and those who work hard govern others. Those who govern others eat others, and those who govern others eat others." To people, it is the universal meaning of the world" ("Mencius Teng Wengong 1"). This view has long been the theoretical basis for defending the exploitative system.