Confucius’ teachings were then propagated by his followers. After Confucius’ own lifetime, two of his most famous followers were Master Meng (371-289 BCE) and Master Xun (298-239 BCE).
Master Meng is also known to scholars as Mencius. He taught that human nature is essentially good, and that people are thus compassionate and inclined towards education and self-cultivation (Confucian ideals).
Master Meng also taught that if the royal dynasty of a kingdom rules with virtue then it receives the “mandate of heaven.”