Mencius

(c. 371 BC - c. 289 BC)

The Chinese philosopher Mencius lived during the tumult of the Warring States period and became known as “the Second Sage” after Confucius, whose thought he spent his life studying, interpreting, and codifying. Believing that a good government provided material well-being and moral education, Mencius said, “The people are the most important element in a nation; the spirits of the land and grain come next; the sovereign counts for the least.” He advocated for land reform, tax reduction, and pensions.