Abstract

This article first of all reviews and evaluates the previous studies on the “Five Virtues” chapter of the Mawangdui Boshu 馬王堆帛書 since the text was excavated in 1973. Based on this effort, the present discussion points out and diagnoses the weaknesses existing in these early studies. Meanwhile, through examination of the newer research on the unearthed Guodian Zhujian 郭店竹簡, the current writing proposes that the textual section of the Wuxing was written by Zi Si 子思, and the commentary section of it was written by Meng Zi 孟子. Accordingly, the conclusion of this article comes to a suggestion that corresponds to the idea of Xun Zi 荀 子 who takes that Meng Zi is a follower and advocate of Zi Si, so-called “Zi Si chang zhi, Meng Ke he zhi.子思唱之, 孟軻和之。”