Mencius (372?-289 BC) advocated that those in power should govern with love and benevolence. He believed that humans by nature have love for their fellows, but that this needs to be widely inclusive in order to constitute a true rule with benevolence. Love and benevolence begin with close family and relatives but then should spread to embrace all the people under his rule. This is the way to achieve rule with benevolence.

Therefore, extending love and benevolence will be able to maintain the rule of the whole country; without them even one’s wife and children cannot be protected. The only reason ancient sages were able to surpass ordinary people was because they were able to expand the influence of their moral principles and conduct far and wide. （Mencius）