Introduction by Qi Huan Jinwen Shi Zhi;
In The Story of Qi Huan Jinwen, through the process of persuading Qi Xuanwang to give up hegemony and practice kingship, Mencius' thought of benevolent governance is systematically expounded.
Main contents:
This paper systematically expounds Mencius' thought of benevolent government by lobbying Qi Xuanwang to give up hegemony and practice kingly way. This article records Mencius' lobbying for Wang Xuan to implement benevolent policies. Explain that everyone has an unbearable heart. As long as he can carry forward this kindness in his heart, push himself and others, and be kind to the people, it will not be difficult to keep the people king.
Through the dialogue between Mencius and Qi Xuanwang, this paper shows Mencius' kingly thought of "protecting the people as kings" and his political proposition of enriching the people and teaching the people, and also shows Mencius' eloquent character and superb argumentation skills. His proposition is, first of all, to give people a certain industry so that they can support their families and live and work in peace and contentment.
Then "courtesy and righteousness" will guide the people, strengthen ethical education, and thus realize the ideal of kingly way. This proposition reflects the people's desire to get rid of poverty and yearn for a stable life, and shows Mencius' spirit of caring for people's sufferings and pleading for the people, which is worthy of recognition. But Mencius' thought also has its limitations.
First, during the Warring States period, from division to reunification, war was inevitable. Mencius often opposed force in general, which seems out of touch with reality and out of date. Second, his thought of benevolent government is completely based on the theory of "goodness in nature", which seems too naive and simple. Although Mencius' thought has certain value, it is far from the society at that time, so it won't work.
Writing characteristics:
This article is one of Mencius' representative works, which can reflect the basic characteristics of Mencius' prose, such as rigorous structure, prominent center, clear argument, full reasoning, intense emotion and majestic momentum. This article is a conversational argumentative essay. If Mencius wanted him to accept his own political ideas in the dialogue with Qi Xuanwang, he had to ponder each other's psychology and induce them to speak according to their own ideas.