Mencius was the off-spring of Mun Sun, a noble in the kingdom of Lu. He came from Tsou County of Shantung Province during the Warring States Period. When Mencius's father died at an early age, he took instruction from his mother, Chou, and studied under Kung Chi , or Tsu Ssu . Seven chapters of "Mencius", a book of his teachings and deeds composed by his students has been handed down to today. Mencius professed honoring rulers of good faith and denying those without principles, as well as placing more emphasis on righteousness and justice than on utilitarianism. He also advocated the theory that everyone is born with a good nature. The saying, "It is possible for anyone born to become as great as the Emperors Yao and Shun", is vital to Chinese philosophy. Later generation honored him as the Van Sage, which puts him next only to Confucius in greatness.

Reference:《THE BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES OF THE SAINTS AND SAGES ARE IN THE TA CHENG HALL OF THE CONFUCIUS TEMPLE》published by Taipei Confucius Temple Governing Board