Mencius envisions moral cultivation as the unfolding of an already present goodness, a set of innate “sprouts” or “beginnings” that require careful nurturing rather than external imposition. Central to this vision is self-reflection and inner examination: one turns inward to recognize genuine moral impulses such as compassion, shame at wrongdoing, respect, and moral discernment, and then consciously strengthens them. These four beginnings correspond to benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom, and they are not created from nothing but drawn out and refined through attentive awareness. Moral growth thus becomes a process of clarifying and stabilizing what is already there in the heart-mind, rather than acquiring something foreign.

A key method is the deliberate extension of natural feelings. Mencius takes the spontaneous concern one might feel in an immediate situation and encourages its gradual expansion outward, from the intimacy of family relationships to the wider community and ultimately to all people, especially the vulnerable. By repeatedly extending these authentic responses, the initial sprouts of virtue grow into stable dispositions. This process is not merely emotional; it involves judgment and discernment, so that one’s care and sense of justice become consistent and principled rather than partial or impulsive.

Mencius also stresses the preservation and nourishment of the heart-mind and its vital energy, or qi. Through sustained righteous action and avoidance of conduct that brings inner shame, one gradually cultivates a “vast and flowing” moral qi that supports steadfast virtue. This moral energy is not produced by short-lived enthusiasm or technique, but by long-term integrity and alignment between inner conviction and outward behavior. At the same time, maintaining something like a “childlike heart” means guarding against the corrupting influences of greed, fear, and flattery, so that the original clarity of moral intuition is not obscured.

External supports play an important role as well. Proper education—study of the classics, engagement with moral teachings, and contemplation of exemplary figures—broadens the mind and refines moral understanding. Association with virtuous people and avoidance of corrupting company help create an environment in which the sprouts of virtue can flourish rather than wither. Over time, through consistent practice, reflection, and the right surroundings, moral conduct becomes second nature, and the innate goodness that Mencius attributes to human beings can fully manifest in character and action.