Mencius

Confucian philosopher who argued that human nature is innately good — the four sprouts of virtue are present in all — and developed a theory of benevolent government grounded in this moral psychology.

Human nature is originally good: all persons have the four sprouts (ren, yi, li, wisdom). Moral cultivation develops what is innately present rather than imposing external norms. The people are more important than the ruler — a king who fails his people can be replaced. Benevolent government must ensure people's basic material needs.