The philosopher was born on the territory of the kingdom of Lou in the fifth century BC. At birth, he had the name Mo Di. Studying the names of philosophers, we find information about this worthy husband. He became the founder of philosophical doctrine and created his own school. Both grandees and commoners listened to his advice.
The foundation of the wisdom of the thinker
Mencius learned the truths that Confucius brought forth directly from his followers, although he was not a Confucian. He did not take on faith the truths blindly stated by the teacher, but analyzed and, if necessary, challenged them. Companions in training held a more conservative view than Mencius. His philosophy was rated as ignorant and brutal. There was a violent clash of currents of philosophical thought.
Essence of teaching
The teachings of Mencius as their main paradigms put forward the following principles.
People should live peacefully and abandon internal hostility. Thus, the ruler should love officials, and state officials - his head, children should respect their parents and vice versa.
The philosophical ideas of this sage insist that excessive abuse of power stems from the lack of love, which is considered the most exalted need. If it is not there, a person tries to fill the void in the soul by any possible means. The whole society should work for the good of each other, and then everyone will have enough for a large piece of happiness.
Honesty, industriousness and purity of thoughts
Many quotes by philosophers, including this prominent figure, speak of a practical approach to life. He taught not only to think, but also to work, because the right thoughts should move a person to useful activities.
Mencius school brought up brave warriors, natural scientists. Logical thinking developed here. If you read the texts of Mencius, quotes from them will show that the world is arranged according to a single plan, which determines the order of things, the movement of each star in the sky, the change of seasons, temperature changes. In addition, over dictated the order of the coup.
The works of Mencius brought a new content to the custom of rule. In the past, nobility was given too much importance, with which the philosopher tried to fight. Mencius said that it is not the title that matters, but the actions that respect must be earned, not inherited.
People of that time believed in the dark and light forces that govern the life of the people. The sage used the ignorance of the people for good purposes - as a regulator of morality, to restrain human hearts from low impulses. His theories and methods fully justified themselves, because people accepted such thoughts on faith. Some superstitions have survived to this day. By creating images of punitive forces in the minds of people, the philosopher instilled in them self-control.
The image of ideal government
The person ruling the state must constantly improve in order to set a worthy example to his followers. People need a strong leader who understands their people. Then they will follow him, trust him. This will be the striving for unity.
A wise leader will choose smart advisers. The population should turn into a pyramid, along the walls of which, like the rays of the sun, wisdom descends and the most exalted impulses of the human soul. Thus, the ruling elite, again, had to be elected by talent and merit, and not by origin. The official had to prove that he was worthy to lead other people. To rule is also to listen, to be responsive. The dominant top should have a dialogue with the population, so that the needs of everyone are met.
Costs and expenses should be strictly justified. In fact, a person does not need so much for happiness. Greed and immoderation lead to social inequality and revolution. It is necessary to develop production and instill in everyone a love of work. And this zeal will be only when the work is honestly and fairly paid. Man by nature wants to work, but in decent conditions. If this is ensured, one does not have to whip the slaves.
In word and deed
Previously, quotes by philosophers had a direct connection with the actions of thinkers, and were not unfounded. In particular, this man tried to break the parasitic and destructive system of that time. He preached kindness, sympathy, sobriety of the mind and responsibility for his actions. You need to start with yourself. If everyone follows this simple truth, then the whole world will be transformed.
The image of a noble husband is glorified and petty people are condemned. Everyone should strive for excellence, improve themselves and the world around them with each new day.
Quotes
The sage replenished the most famous names of philosophers of all times, whose wisdom came to us through the ages, thanks to his following thoughts:
- “The actions of a worthy person are reflected in people, not on water.”
- “Now in the higher spheres worthy people care about trifles, and not about large quantities.”
- “A worthy person who shows love for a smaller brother receives love in return; a worthy person who thinks about the affluence of a smaller brother will receive prosperity from a lesser person. ”
- "He who overcomes all difficulties and hardships will be able to overtake what he wants."
- "One who has no will cannot be wise."
- "When you speak, speak accurately and accurately, taking action, be decisive."
- "Talking about kindness, but not being kind is a crime."
- "Do not build and do not think what someone else will do, act yourself."
- "Calling happiness, one call will not pass."
- “We ourselves are the creators of our well-being and benefits.”
- "Who can think deeply, speak simple and be truthful, has a chance to become a perfect person."
- “In the case when a husband of perfect nature becomes the ruler, the welfare of the whole people grows, because he manages the budget wisely and reasonably. Both the people and the ruler are pleased. ”
Propaganda of kindness and humanity
Mencius believed that a person should develop in order to achieve the ideal, to stand up for moral principles. States should not spend their money on bloody wars, robberies and cruelty. With wise management, everyone will have enough resources and everyone will have everything in abundance without committing a sin for the purpose of profit.
Disrespect, arrogance, disorder, lack of moral standards create chaos. Heirs must respect their parents, they need to be educated by people who are honest and responsible, endowed with bright thoughts and good souls.
A person should love not only himself, but also those around him. In fact, all people are the influence of the environment on them. That is, loving the others, we respect ourselves.
Distribution of values
The philosopher focused on the fact that there is something much more important and valuable than personal gain. Only at first glance it seems that you need to use the opportunity to cash in, even if it is dirty, if only because the opportunity has turned up. But just in this way the soul is covered with a coating of rust, through which in the end it is not visible.
Man turns into a wild animal. Although, looking at the actions of other people, it would be disrespectful to insult animals with such a comparison. Because the animal will not eat more than he needs. He will not save in reserve. Will not make a bandwagon and laugh out of pleasure. These simple talents endowed only the owner of the world, man. If people love each other, everything around will bloom with the lightest and brightest colors. The world will be fragrant and each of its impulses will fill the lungs of every person with a charming aroma. Each will have a place, no one will be deprived.
Man is a social creature. He has an urgent need for the exchange of love and light with his own kind. So why exchange this miracle for fleeting material values, this quickly withering weed, devouring the roots of the flowers of virtue. This infection is saturated and dies so quickly that you do not have time to blink, and kindness and humanity are eternal. The main thing is to make the right choice.