The wisdom of Mencius' mother

The story of Mencius and his mother is a powerful example of how a supportive family upbringing can shape a person’s character and success. The renowned Chinese philosopher's mother was deeply committed to his education, relocating their family three times in search of a better environment for him to learn, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to helping him reach his potential. When Mencius grew older, he left home to focus on his studies.

However, after some time, he began to feel homesick and decided to return home without informing his mother. This tells us that even the most dedicated students can miss their families and feel overwhelmed by their studies. When Mencius returned home, he called out to his mother, but she did not come running to greet him.



Instead, she was sitting quietly at her weaving loom. When they did finally speak, Mencius expressed his desire to see her, but his mother asked about his studies. Mencius admitted that he had not completely finished his education.

At this point, his mother cut the thread of the fabric she was weaving. This action surprised Mencius, and he asked her why she did it. Her response was powerful.

She explained that returning home without finishing his studies was like cutting the thread she was weaving. It interrupted the progress and effort she put into making something beautiful. Through her actions, Mencius' mother taught him a valuable lesson about commitment and the importance of completing what you start.

This moment made Mencius realize that learning is not just about the knowledge you gain but also about the discipline to see things through. He felt embarrassed and understood that he needed to return to his studies with more dedication. Mencius' mother demonstrated exceptional parenting by instilling values of perseverance, commitment and the importance of education in her son.

Instead of simply celebrating his return, she emphasized the significance of his studies and encouraged him to pursue his dreams. This tough love inspired Mencius to return to his teacher and dedicate himself even more to his studies. After this encounter with his mother, Mencius became a better student.

He dedicated himself to learning and eventually became one of the greatest Confucian scholars. His mother’s wisdom played a significant role in shaping his character and future success. This story highlights the importance of parental guidance in education.

It shows how parents can influence their children to strive for excellence by encouraging them and teaching them the consequences of their actions. Mencius' mother was not just a caregiver; she was a teacher who understood the value of education. Her actions had a lasting impact on Mencius, proving that a mother’s love can inspire greatness.

The upbringing of Mencius by his mother emphasizes the significance of dedication to education and the role of parental influence in shaping a child's future. Mencius' story reminds us that a strong foundation in values like perseverance, commitment and the pursuit of knowledge can lead to remarkable achievements in life. His journey reflects how important it is to have supportive and wise parents who encourage their children to aim high and work hard.

Park Sung-ik ([email protected]) is a retired English teacher from Pungmoon Girls' High School..