Han Wangxi

THE way of the world exists in the hearts of people.

Mencius was a man who dared to speak his mind. In “Mencius,” he wrote: “Every 500 years, a true king must arise, and during that time, there will surely be individuals who will make their mark on the world. Since the Zhou Dynasty, over 700 years have passed. Judging by the number of years, it is overdue; but examining the times, it is possible. Heaven does not yet desire to bring peace and order to the world; if it did, who else but me would be suited for this task? Why should I not be joyful?”

Mencius was a man who remained unmoved by the dukes and ministers of the State of Qi at the age of 40, yet willing to sacrifice his life for the sake of benevolence and righteousness. Where are the sages who have governed the world with benevolence and righteousness since the rise of King Wu of Zhou? Where are the virtuous officials who have assisted the kings? Why am I so filled with sorrow and anxiety?

From Confucius to Mencius, 100 years passed. Mencius lamented: “The time since the sages is not yet long, and the distance from the homeland of the sages is still so close. Yet today, the words of the sages have been forgotten, and there are no longer people who understand and inherit them!” Mencius said this twice.

Now, do we have the courage to say: “If one is capable, one should not shirk responsibility; who else but me?” This is the heart of a sage who cultivates oneself to bring peace to others. What does one govern the world with? Mencius had a powerful tool: he spoke words of benevolence and righteousness with a heart that cannot bear to harm others. Therefore, when he met King Hui of Liang, he asked, “Why must Your Majesty speak of benefit? There is only benevolence and righteousness.” In response to Duke Wen of the Teng State, he blurted out, “Does the prince doubt my words? The way is but one.”

There is only one principle for governing the world, and that is to rule with a heart that cannot bear to inflict harm and implement policies that do not harm others.

Mencius said: “The three dynasties gained the world through benevolence and lost it through lack of benevolence. The rise and fall of a state are also the same.” This is the way of governance, mirroring the rise and fall.

“Mencius” bases its arguments on the world and speaks of universal truths. Mencius said: “If a king is not benevolent, he cannot protect the world; if dukes are not benevolent, they cannot protect their states; if lords are not benevolent, they cannot protect their ancestral temples; if common people are not benevolent, they cannot protect their lives.” Only benevolence and righteousness can inspire the world.

We often object, “What if love is not reciprocated?” Mencius had thought about it. A benevolent person seeks to improve oneself. Mencius said: “If one loves others but is not loved in return, one should reflect on whether one has truly practiced benevolence; if one governs the people but does not achieve the desired results, one should reflect on one’s ability to govern the country; if one treats others with courtesy but does not receive a response, one should reflect on whether one has truly practiced inner reverence.”

If one does not achieve results in one’s actions, one should always seek the cause within oneself. When one’s own conduct is upright, the whole world will turn to them.

(The author is a cultural scholar.)

(Translated by Shenzhen Daily)