Mencius

Author: Kang Yan / Wang Chuan
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Publish Date: 2004-02-01
Features: Mengzi, also known as Kē, was a native of Zōu during the Warring States period and is considered the representative figure of Confucianism after Confucius. He carried forward Confucius' teachings and elevated them for later generations, earning the title of "Second Sage" from posterity. Historically, Confucius and Mengzi are often mentioned together, known as the "Confucian-Mengzi Way." The great scholar Zhu Xi of the Song Dynasty praised Mengzi by saying, "The Six Classics are like a thousand-barrel boat, and Mengzi is the one who steers it." The great Confucian philosopher Cheng Yi believed that Mengzi had reached the pinnacle of learning and that his contributions to the Confucian tradition were immeasurable. Mengzi collects the sayings and doctrines of Mengzi and is one of the "Four Books" of Confucian classics. Although the entire book contains only over 30,000 words, it is concise yet profound in meaning. Mengzi advocates benevolent governance and the "Way of the People," emphasizing that "the people come first, the state second, and the ruler the lightest." It includes timeless quotes such as "When Heaven intends to place great responsibility on a person, it must first harden their will and exhaust their body," "Those who follow the Way of Right receive much assistance, while those who follow the Way of Wrong receive little," "Respect your elders and extend that respect to others; cherish your young and extend that care to others," and "Laughing at someone who runs fifty steps while others run a hundred." Mengzi is eloquent, profound in reasoning, and beautifully written, setting the precedent for prose. Its influence on later generations in both thought and literature is profound. For every child, school exam scores are not important; what matters is cultivating their interest in learning and their ability to think and solve problems through education. The old saying goes, "At three, one's life is determined." Child psychology research has found that the period from 0 to 13 is the best time for memory in a person's life. During this time, their ability to absorb is as strong as a sponge. If you give them classics, they will absorb them deeply into their hearts. As they grow older, the essence of the classics will gradually ferment within them, and from then on, "walking alongside the classics and associating with the sages" will permeate their entire life! Classics are works that awaken human nature and can open people's wisdom! Classics can penetrate the deepest parts of a person's soul, cultivating an elegant temperament and a kind and virtuous character! Classical Chinese, also known as literary language, is the language used in most classics. It is a beautiful, concise, and precise language refined and elevated over thousands of years. In the long river of China's five-thousand-year civilization, the classics that have survived to this day are the Five Classics, the Four Histories, the Four Books, and the Four Collections...