# Mencius — Tao Te Ching character guide

> Mencius in Tao Te Ching by Laozi.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0005-tao-te-ching

## Who they are

Confucian philosopher whose ideas are contrasted with Taoism.

## Relationships

### [Laozi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/laozi)

_rivalry_

Mencius, as a Confucian philosopher, is often contrasted with Laozi, representing a competing view on human nature and governance.

### [Laozi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/laozi)

_rivalry_

Mencius, as a Confucian philosopher, is often contrasted with Laozi, representing a competing view on human nature and governance.

## In the story

### [Accounts of Laozi and Chuang-Tzŭ Given by Ssŭ-Ma Chʽien](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/chapters/accounts-of-laozi-and-chuang-tz-given-by-ss-ma-ch-ien)

Contemporary of Chuang-tzŭ; both visited the same courts but never mentioned each other.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/mencius
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters