What was Mencius' central belief about people?
They are inherently respectful
They are inherently wise
They are inherently good
They are inherently playful
Answer
Mencius believed that people are inherently good. He argued that humans are born with the four "sprouts" of morality: humanity, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom. These sprouts are the basis for all human virtues, and they are present in everyone, regardless of their social status or background. Mencius believed that the purpose of government is to nurture and develop these sprouts so that people can become fully virtuous.
The Wisdom of Mencius: An Engaging Journey into Chinese Philosophy
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