Part of: The Chinese Classics The Chinese Classics: Vol. 2 The Life and Teachings of Mencius

This volume contains a long introduction on the life and works of Mencius, following by 7 books from his writings. The 2 indexes have not been reproduced in the HTML version of the file but can be viewed in the facsimile PDF version.

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Citation

The Chinese Classics: Translated into English with Preliminary Essays and Explanatory Notes by James Legge. Vol. 2 The Life and Teachings of Mencius. (London: N. Trübner, 1875).

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Confucius (Author)

Confucius is the latinized form of Kong Fu Tzu, who lived 551-479 BCE, a period of violence and political turmoil. His work, tremendously important for subsequent Chinese history, sought to establish the foundations for a stable and just social and political order.
Mencius (Author)

Frequently called the “Second Sage” of Confucianism, he expanded on Confucius’ work. Basing his philosophy on the premise that human nature is basically good, he stressed the importance of ethics and virtue.
Mo Tzu (Author)

A rival of the Confucianists, whose work was later singled out by Mencius for particular attack, he founded a philosophy known as Mohism that stressed universal love and egalitarianism.

Critical Responses

Article

The Promise of Confucian Liberty

James Dominic Rooney

The author argues that Confucian philosophy need not lead to statist authoritarianism. The piece includes a good historical overview of the development of Confucian thought.

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Article

Confucianism’s Piety Problem

David K. Schneider

In contrast to Response 1, this author argues that Confucianism, as developed by both Confucius and Mencius, is ultimately too hierarchical to provide the foundation for a truly liberal order.

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Connected Readings

Book

Confucian School

OLL Editor

A wide selection of writings from various Confucian scholars.

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OLL Quote

Confucius on Prudence and the Superior Man

OLL Editor

An excerpt with commentary from The Ethics of Confucius.

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Book

The Analects

Confucius

One of the central texts of Confucianism, it consists mainly of sayings attributed by Confucius and compiled by his disciples.

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Book

The Shi King, the Old “Poetry Classic” of the Chinese

Confucius

It is the oldest collection of Chinese poetry, and one of the “Five Classics” said to have been compiled by Confucius.

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