Heaven Fire Tongren: Confucian-Daoist Dialogue and the Investigation of Ancient Spiritual Origins from a Pre-Qin Perspective

Section 2: Mencius on Tóng Rén

Mencius’s greatest contribution to the Way of Tóng Rén is revealing the common foundation of the human heart—the "common affirmation of the heart" (xīn zhī suǒ tóng rán).

I. The Innate Goodness of Human Nature and the Way of Tóng Rén

Mencius’s theory of the innate goodness of human nature provides the most profound philosophical basis for the Way of Tóng Rén. The Mencius (Gaozi II) states:

"The goodness of man's nature is like the downward flow of water. There is no man who is not good, just as there is no water that does not flow downwards." (人性之善也，犹水之就下也。人无有不善，水无有不下。)

Human nature is inherently good, just as water naturally flows downward. If human nature is inherently good, then at the deepest level, people are "the same"—all possessing benevolence, shame, deference, and a sense of right and wrong.

"The heart that feels pity is benevolence (rén); the heart that feels shame and aversion is righteousness (yì); the heart that feels deference and respect is propriety (lǐ); the heart that distinguishes right from wrong is wisdom (zhì). Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom are not infused into us from outside; they are inherent in us." (孟子·告子上)

These four virtues are inherent, not externally imposed. Every person possesses these four hearts—this is "Accord" (Tóng). The reason people can achieve Tóng Rén is not due to external coercion or the drive of self-interest, but because of the intrinsic correspondence of their hearts.

This aligns perfectly with the Tóng Rén hexagram's virtue: "Civilization coupled with vigor." "Civilization" corresponds to humanistic cultivation, while "Vigor" corresponds to the Way of Heaven. The union of humanistic cultivation based on the vigor of the Way of Heaven is the best portrayal of the complementarity of Confucianism and Daoism.

II. "All things are prepared in me" and Tóng Rén

Mencius also had a stirring statement:

"All things are prepared in me. If I reflect on myself and am sincere, no happiness is greater. If I apply the principle of shu (reciprocity) diligently, there is no path closer to achieving benevolence." (Mencius, Jin Xin I)

"All things are prepared in me"—the principles of Heaven, Earth, and all things reside within me. "If I reflect on myself and am sincere"—to achieve this connection, one does not seek externally but reflects internally. "If I apply the principle of shu diligently"—practicing by extending one's own measure to others, one can achieve Rén—and thus achieve Tóng Rén.

These three statements reveal the internal logic of the Way of Tóng Rén:

1. All things are prepared in me—the foundation of "Accord" lies within the self. I am inherently connected to all things.
2. Reflect on myself and be sincere—to realize this connection, one must reflect internally.
3. Apply shu diligently—by practicing reciprocity, one achieves Rén—and thus achieves Tóng Rén.

III. "To subdue men by virtue" and Tóng Rén

Mencius distinguished between "subduing by force" and "subduing by virtue":

"He who uses force to subdue men, does so not with his heart, but with his strength... He who subdues men by virtue does so with his heart, and they are sincerely contented, as the seventy disciples were with Confucius." (Mencius, Gongsun Chou I)

"Subduing by force" is compelling others to obey through power—this is not true Tóng Rén, because once the power wanes, the obedience vanishes. "Subduing by virtue" is transforming others through the radiance of virtue—this is true Tóng Rén, because people are sincerely delighted and genuinely convinced. Mencius used the example of "the seventy disciples' submission to Confucius"—they did not follow Confucius under compulsion but were drawn by his virtue and character. This is the highest form of Tóng Rén.

This is consistent with the Tóng Rén hexagram's virtue: "Civilization coupled with vigor." "Civilization" is the radiance of virtue, "Vigor" is the capacity for action—attracting people's hearts and consolidating strength through virtue and action is the Way of Tóng Rén.