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Perspective voyage · 4th century BCE

Mencius — Humane rule, people's lives, and forfeited status

If a ruler destroys people's livelihood and trust, can the same obedience still be demanded?

The question that moves this idea

What makes power legitimate and rules fair?

Instead of memorizing a conclusion, follow the evidence scenes to see what this perspective distinguishes and where its explanation stops.

Scene 1 / 6Evidence-linked account

The received Mengzi transmits dialogues, arguments, and sayings, and its presentation must preserve the possibility of compilation by disciples or later followers.

Open evidence for this scene

This sentence is an editorial paraphrase linked to the listed sources, not a direct quotation.

  • Mengzi

    Transmitted Mencian tradition; Chinese Text Project · Classical Chinese text with James Legge historical English translation

    Locator: Received seven-book structure

    Open source

  • Mencius

    Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

    Locator: Section 1

    Open source

Time × place

Where the idea met time and place

We do not invent a birthplace for an idea. Only evidence-backed events such as writing, publication, teaching, and reception appear here.

300 BCE · Approximately 4th century BCE

The Mengzi is a transmitted text arguing about rule, livelihood, trust, and ruler status; no composition city is inferred.

2025 CE · Current reception context documented in 2025

The current institutional record at Zoucheng documents reception and commemoration of Mencius, not the composition place of the Mengzi.

Keep the voyage moving

Where should this perspective lead?

Enter the judgment scene

Compare this perspective with three others on the same cases.

Enter the judgment scene

Open the person’s full voyage

Restore the period, works, and places behind the single claim.

Open the person’s full voyage

Try the next perspective

See what the same thinker distinguishes differently in another question.

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