"Book Hongfan": "Be impartial and not party, the king swings." Chronology of the Twelve Governors in Historical Records: "Confucius is a wise king and cannot be used for more than 70 years." Lu Xun's essay "Two or Three Things in Jieting" is about China: "There has never been a king in China."
Confucianism believes that when a saint becomes king, his rule is king, so it can also be called "Saint Wang Zhidao".
Benevolence and courtesy are two major contents in Confucius' ideological system. Mencius inherited the theory of "benevolence" in Confucius' theory more.
So what is "benevolence"? Mencius pointed out: "People are also benevolent; In a word, Tao is also. " Benevolence and humanity are two sides of the same coin. They are both exterior and interior, and together they are "Tao". The thought of "benevolence" is the soul of Mencius' ideological system, and he has repeatedly explained and perfected benevolence from various aspects.
Mencius pointed out that human nature is good, compassion, shame, resignation and right and wrong are innate, and they are called "four ends". They are the basis of the four virtues of "benevolence, righteousness, courtesy and wisdom" and the support of Mencius' "theory of good nature" as Mencius' social ideal, which shows two meanings at the same time.
Everyone has compassion. As a ruler, it is easy to "live up to the hearts of others and rule the world in the palm of your hand." "Benevolent people have different opinions, and wise people have different opinions", reminding rulers to implement "benevolent government". Politics must be done in accordance with benevolence, and heartlessness can only bring about its own destruction. Benevolence is the most basic content of Mencius' political theory and social ideal, and the theory of good nature is the best explanation of its internal basis. Generally speaking, in Mencius' view, it is precisely because of the kindness of human nature-especially the kindness of those rulers themselves-that benevolent government can be realized.
The ideal of benevolent government finally points to "king", which is the highest realm of Mencius' political ideal. Mencius brilliantly expounded in his works: "Five grains can't beat grain unless it goes against the farming season;" If you don't count, neither fish nor turtle can be eaten. Axe gold gets into the mountain in time, and mywood can't be used. Valley and fish turtles can't fight for food, and wood and wood can't fight for it, which makes people lose their lives and have no regrets. Born and died without regret, the beginning of the king is also. "
Reduce the burden on the people, follow the laws of nature, and the people have plenty of food and clothing. Although you die without regret, this is the "king." It is a big category, which consists of two parts: one is the clearest social politics; The second is relatively perfect ethics. The former is its main part, which Mencius discussed many times.
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