MENCIUS, merishi-us, the Latinized name of Meng-tse, that is, Meng the Teacher, a Chi nese philosopher and recluse: b. province of Shan-Tung, about 372 n.c.; d. there, about 289 He was educated by his mother with such success that the approbation contained in the phrase mother of has become pro verbial. Mencius was one of the greatest of the early Confucians. During his time the govern ments of China were oppressive, and Mencius for many years wandered about in search of a prince who would consent to govern in accord ance with true and just principles. Failing to find any such, he retired to his former seclusion and spent the rest of his life in perfecting his system and training disciples. His works contain some enlightened views on man and society. He believed in the moral nature of man and had unbounded faith in the possibili ties of progress under a good social and politi cal system. He regarded all governments as from God, but at the same time he believed in the responsibility of rulers to their people and the people's right to depose or even put to death unworthy rulers. In a nation the people are
the most important element, second comes the government and third the monarch. The aim of a government, according to him, should be the happiness and education of the people, and any ruler who was content to leave his sub jects in ignorance and misery deserved to be deposed. The teachings of Mencius were written out by his disciples in dialogue form, under the title