# Freedom in Ancient China: Mencius **URL:** **By** Paul Meany **Published:** November 19, 2020 --- The second sage of Confucianism known as Mencius wrote about the importance of prosperity, virtue, and freedom. ## Summary: Few philosophy curricula today cover the writings of eastern philosophers. Even though his teachings are over two millennia old, the work of Mencius covers many liberal themes. Mencius argued for a state which promoted both virtue and prosperity through a policy of non-interference. He staunchly opposed wars aimed at expanding state power and argued in favor of deposing rulers who did not fulfill their obligations. ## Mentions: Music attributions: Pale Rider by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4192-pale-rider](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4192-pale-rider) License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) March of the Mind by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4020-march-of-the-mind](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4020-march-of-the-mind) License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Lone Harvest by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3990-lone-harvest](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3990-lone-harvest) License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Friday Morning by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3778-friday-morning](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3778-friday-morning) License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Serene by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4336-serene](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4336-serene) License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Tectonic by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4465-tectonic](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4465-tectonic) License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Night Vigil by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5746-night-vigil](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5746-night-vigil) License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Peppers Theme by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4998-peppers-theme](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4998-peppers-theme) License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)