Good Confucianism book (pdf) - Department of Physics

88 MenciusFigure 6.1 Statue of Menciusreformed himself. These are charming stories meant to show Mencius ’promise, even as a child. But, like the stories around Confucius, we shouldprobably take them with a grain of salt. 3The later Han dynasty history, the Records of the Historian , contains abiography of Mencius, saying he was born in the small state of Zou, on theborder of the state of Lu, near Confucius ’ home. He is said to have studiedunder Confucius ’ grandson, Zi Si. This tradition about studying with Zi Siis meant to indicate a direct teaching lineage from Confucius, to his son,to the grandson, and to Mencius. Like Confucius, Mencius wanted a governmentposition and traveled about China trying to get a job. The laterhistories say that he attempted to advise the rulers of the states of Liangand Qi and may have held a position in the state of Qi, but Mencius wasnot able to persuade the ruler to follow his advice and retired to become ateacher and “ transmit the teachings of Confucius. ” He may have had someminor positions, but Mencius, like Confucius, mostly taught. We have abook, the Mencius , parts of which might have been written by Mencius.