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Mencius

American  
[men-shee-uhs] / ˈmɛn ʃi əs /
(Older Spellings) Mengtse,

noun

  1. c380–289 b.c., Chinese philosopher.


Mencius British  
/ ˈmɛnʃɪəs, -ʃəs /

noun

  1. Chinese name Mengzi or Meng-tze. ?372–?289 bc , Chinese philosopher, who propounded the ethical system of Confucius

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Mencius

First recorded in 1770–80; Latinization of Chinese Mèng Zǐ “Master Meng” (birth name Mèng Kē) by European Jesuits in China in the 17th century

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In interviews with state media, I-Soon’s CEO Wu quoted Mencius, a Chinese philosopher, casting himself as a scholar concerned with China’s national interest.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 7, 2024

Unlike Mencius, Xunzi did not believe that goodness came from reflection on one’s innate tendency toward compassion.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Mencius said that a man of wisdom does not stand next to a wall that is about to topple.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 4, 2019

Mencius, similarly, criticised the princes of his day because “they do not put into practice the ways of the ancient kings”.

From The Guardian • Sep. 25, 2018

The interview here recorded seems to have taken place immediately after Hih's accession, and Mencius, it is said, was so disappointed by it that he soon after left the country.

From The Wisdom of Confucius with Critical and Biographical Sketches by Wilson, Epiphanius