The life background and brief introduction of Confucius and Mencius.

In China's long feudal society, Confucianism was in an exclusive position. Tang Xuanzong regarded Confucius as "the king of literature and propaganda"; Song Zhenzong honored him as "the most holy king of Wenxuan" and Yuan Chengzong honored him as "the most holy king of Wenxuan". In the early Qing Dynasty, Confucius was even more famous, and was regarded as "the most holy master of literary selections" by the Qing emperor. Whenever the emperor offered sacrifices to Confucius, there was always a Confucian scholar nearby to enjoy the sacrifice. He also has a lofty title: "Zou Guoya Gong Sheng". Obviously, in the Confucian school, his position is second only to Confucius, and this great scholar is Mencius.

Mencius, whose name is Ke, was born in Zou during the Warring States Period and now in Zoucheng, Shandong Province. Born in about 372 BC, he died in 289 BC. Although he is a descendant of Lu Guizhi, he lost his father since childhood and his family was poor. According to legend, Mencius' mother was very virtuous and worked hard to raise him. In order to create a good neighborhood environment for Mencius, Meng Mu moved three times, and finally found a scholar as a neighbor, which finally made Mencius a great success. In his later years, he returned to his hometown, and together with Zhang Wan and other close students, he "prefaced the book of poems, explained the meaning of Zhong Ni, and wrote seven pieces of Mencius". On the one hand, I sort out and expound Confucian classics, on the other hand, I sort out my own remarks and deeds into books. Today, the most important basis for us to understand and study Mencius' thought is Mencius. Mencius was a famous thinker in ancient China. He was born in China during the transition from slavery to feudalism. He is the representative of Neo-Confucianism, inheriting and developing Confucianism founded by Confucius. He is the second master of Confucianism and is respected as a saint by later generations.

Confucius was a great scholar in the Spring and Autumn Period (55 BC1~ 479 BC). He started a private school and founded Confucianism.

Pie. Mencius was a great scholar in the Warring States Period (the year of birth and death is unknown, 385-304 years before, 372 years before).

Before 289), he inherited the theory of Confucius and made great contributions to the spread and development of Confucianism.

Confucius was born in Qufu, Shandong Province today, and Mencius was born in Zouxian County, which is only a few tens of miles away from Qufu. They are all taking a bath in Yitai.

Qilu culture is centered on mountains.

-In the middle of the 2nd century BC, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty realized that Confucius' theory was conducive to a centralized and unified social structure.

Therefore, Dong Zhongshu's suggestion of "ousting a hundred schools of thought and respecting Confucianism alone" was adopted. Since then, China has been sealed for more than two thousand years.

In the period of social construction, Confucius has always been regarded as a saint, while Mencius is regarded as a second saint. From the emperor to the Lebanese people,

And the descendants of Confucius and Mencius, consciously or unconsciously believe or think that Mencius' academic thoughts are the same as Confucius'.

In short, it is the so-called home of Confucius and Mencius. In fact, this is a big misunderstanding, maybe.

It is also a political conspiracy that lasted for two thousand years. Because, in fact, Mencius' academic thought is partially inherited.

The other part of Confucius' thought was created by Mencius himself, which was greatly surpassed.

Confucius.

-Confucius advocated the social structure of "Jun Jun, minister, father and son", and its fatal problem lies in being a monarch.

When the king fails to perform his duties as a king, or when the king acts rashly, people have no legal way to correct the king.

Wrong or change the king. Confucius was well aware of this problem, but he didn't find it and didn't dare (

Not reconciled? ) propose a solution. In contrast, Mencius clearly pointed out: "The people are the most important, followed by the country.

You are very light. "In the history of China, he was the first to clearly put forward the people's interests first.

The interests of the court should be subordinated to the interests of the people, and the interests of the king should be subordinated to the interests of the people and the court.

In order to restrain the king's behavior, Mencius advocated that the king should not appoint or remove officials alone.

The people have the final say, not just a few ministers, and the opinions of the people of China must be sought; Of the conviction amount,

In terms of punishment, the king can't have the final say alone, nor can his cronies or ministers have the final say in private.

We must also consult the people of China. For the incompetent king, Mencius put forward in a fearless spirit: "You have it."

If you are too serious, you will protest. If you don't listen to it repeatedly, you will be translocated (Mencius Zhang Wan). On the relationship between monarch and minister, Mencius

He also insisted on the dignity and equality of personality. He once said to Qi Xuanwang's face, "If you treat me like dirt, I will treat you like dirt."

Koukan (Mencius Li Lou). "

-In fact, Mencius' above viewpoint was never put forward by Confucius, which shows that Mencius' academic thought,

Political ideas are quite different from those of Confucius. Strictly speaking, they are not a school, nor are Confucius and Mencius.

In fact, there are essential differences between Mencius and Confucius, and feudal emperors and their royal scholars know it well.

After Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor, he was furious with many of Mencius' ideas and wanted to visualize Mencius in a rage.

He moved out of the Confucius Temple, but when he calmed down, he found it really necessary to put Mencius in the Confucius Temple.

This is because, as long as the house of Confucius and Mencius is publicized, Mencius will always be demoted to the status of a saint, and Mencius' thought is correct.

Whether it is true or not, it should be based on Confucius' thought; In this way, we can suppress saints with righteous saints and bury saints with Confucius' thoughts.

Without Mencius' thoughts, the spread of democratic ideas advocated by Mencius was stifled.

-During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, Mozi advocated the people's right to participate in politics, and Mozi's followers were still built.

Establish a strict group organization to realize their own ideas and practices. In contrast, Mencius belongs to theory.

The economist, not a politician, hopes to persuade the king to adopt a management style similar to "constitutional monarchy" in theory.

Way. However, for feudal autocratic emperors, the most valuable theory is Confucius' proposition, because Confucius

The son's proposition helps to maintain the established pattern, which is the most welcome thing for the emperor who expects to sit on earth forever.

No one in the world uses Confucius' theory. Therefore, Confucius and his theory were deeply welcomed by feudal emperors, but Mo.

Zi's theory was snubbed, while Mencius' theory was "wooed". Unfortunately, the secret is, one

As a scholar, I don't know; As for ordinary people, they are kept in the dark, and their sign is to believe in Confucius and Mencius.

A family. "