Mencius

372 BCE – 289 BCE Chinese philosopher

The second sage of Confucianism, who argued that human nature is good.

Religion: Confucianism, which he developed with the claim that human nature is innately good.
Affiliations: Traveled among rulers as a teacher. No secret society.

Mencius extended Confucian thought with the argument that people are born with the seeds of goodness. He defended the right of the people against tyranny and shaped Chinese ideas of legitimate rule. His book became one of the core Confucian classics.

Connections

influenced Confucius — He saw himself as heir to the Confucian tradition.
influenced Confucius — Mencius became the leading interpreter of Confucian thought.

In the timeline

372 BCE Mencius develops Confucian thought central figure

Wikipedia