innate goodness

  • Mencius’ Mother’s Three Relocations [Warring States]

    In ancient China, during the turbulent Warring States period (5th–3rd century BCE), a young boy named Meng Ke – later known to history as Mencius, the great Confucian philosopher – grew up under the devoted care of his widowed mother, Lady Zhang. With no father and little money, their life was humble. But what…

  • The Analects – Chapter 2 (1.2). Roots of Benevolence

    Master You said, “Those who in private life behave well towards their parents and elder brothers, in public life seldom show a disposition to resist the authority of their superiors. And as for such men starting a revolution, no instance of it has ever occurred. It is upon the trunk that a gentleman works.…