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Mencius – Chapter 9.8 Advancing by Rites and Lodging with the Upright: Confucius’ Political Integrity
Mencius dismisses slander that Confucius lodged with influential eunuchs for office. He argues Confucius followed rites to serve and upheld righteousness to resign, choosing virtuous hosts even in peril to preserve uncompromised moral integrity.
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Mencius – Chapter 9.6 The Unity of Abdication and Hereditary Succession
Mencius refutes the claim that Yu’s hereditary succession marked moral decline. Both abdication and inheritance follow Heaven’s will, determined by successors’ virtue and popular support. Virtuous sages cannot seize power unless Heaven deposes tyrannical rulers.
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Mencius – Chapter 9.5 The Legitimacy of Political Power
Mencius states the empire belongs to Heaven, not any ruler to give. Heaven reveals its will via public acceptance: officials, litigants and commoners turned to Shun instead of Yao’s son. Heaven’s will equals the people’s will, forming core people-centered legitimacy.
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Mencius – Chapter 9.4 The Boundary Between Ethics and Politics
Mencius refutes fallacies about Shun’s reign, laying out a classic text-reading rule: grasp authors’ intent beyond literal words. He argues filial piety outweighs royal rank; as Son of Heaven, Shun still showed full reverence to his father Gusou.
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Mencius – Chapter 9.3 Balancing Public Justice and Private Affection: Shun’s Enfeoffment of Xiang
Mencius explains Shun enfeoffed his murderous brother Xiang out of fraternal love yet stripped him of real power via appointed officials, balancing kin affection and public justice. Shun met Xiang often under political pretexts to sustain their bond.