#Mozi February 9

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

This February 2025, several of us are participating in the 30-Day Philosophy Coach4aday Challenge. Each day, we choose a quote or concept from a philosopher, past or present, and share it with others. Participating in this activity is actually sharing wisdom with others. My philosopher choice today is a Chinese Philosopher named MOZI.

Mozi is considered one of the important leadership figures during a period in China’s history called the Warring States Period. He was not a follower of Confucius and thought his way of thinking was too ritualistic. In essence he crashed the Chinese philosophy party of tradition and offered the gift of universal love. If Confucius was a sage than Mozi was an engineer. Legend has it that Mozi was able to convince a King to cancel a war he had planned.

Philosophy 30-Day Challenge Guidelines

Like previous challenges there are no hard and fast rules to participate. There are a few suggested guidelines

1. Identify your choice of philosopher, and, if necessary, offer up a brief bio on that individual.
2. If you need help here is a link to some famous philosophers
3. Provide the quote or concept that is attributed to this philosopher.
4. If sharing with others use the #Coach4adayChallenge

February 9th Philosopher–Mozi

One area that Mozi differed from Confucius was on social hierarchy. Mohism advocated for impartial care and equal treatment of all people to reduce conflict. Another area of difference was Mozi believed in appointing leaders based on ability and virtue rather than birthright.

Quote or Concept

During the infamous Qin book burnings (213 BCE) ordered by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, texts from rival schools, including Mohism, were likely destroyed, though not as systematically as those of Confucianism. Mohism had already declined by this time, and its texts were not as widely copied or preserved as Confucian classics.

Here is one quote that was preserved

“Universal love is really the way of the sage-kings. It is what gives peace to the rulers and sustenance to the people”