When did Qin Guli live?

Qin Guli was born in c. 440 BC and died in c. 370 BC.

Where was Qin Guli from?

Qin Guli was a Chinese philosopher of the Ancient era.

What philosophical movements is Qin Guli associated with?

Qin Guli was associated with Mohism.

How many quotes are attributed to Qin Guli?

There are 15 attributed quotations from Qin Guli in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.

Qin Guli c. 440 BC – c. 370 BC

Qin Guli (c. 440 BC – c. 370 BC) was a Chinese philosopher of the Ancient era, associated with Mohism.

Qin Guli was an early Chinese Mohist philosopher of the late fifth century BC, the principal disciple of Mozi and traditionally his successor as head of the Mohist school. His teaching activity is mentioned in several early Chinese texts, including the Lushi Chunqiu, where he appears as the leader of the Mohist community in the years after Mozi's death and as one of the figures responsible for the transmission of the master's doctrines to the next generation. The Mohist tradition he carried forward held that universal love, impartial concern for the welfare of all, must be the foundation of social order, and that the test of any social institution is whether it benefits the people, the state, and the Heavenly Mandate.

Key facts

Nationality: Chinese
Era: Ancient
Movements: Mohism

Selected quotes

Attributed to Qin Guli:

“Universal love is the way; without it, all government is faction.”
Attributed to Qin Guli:

“What benefits the people is the proper test of any institution.”
Attributed to Qin Guli:

“The Mohist serves the doctrine; the doctrine has no need to serve the Mohist.”
Attributed to Qin Guli:

“Heaven loves all impartially; we should imitate Heaven.”
Attributed to Qin Guli:

“He who loves only his own family teaches his family to love only themselves.”

Read all Qin Guli quotes

Frequently asked about Qin Guli

When did Qin Guli live?: Qin Guli was born in c. 440 BC and died in c. 370 BC.
Where was Qin Guli from?: Qin Guli was a Chinese philosopher of the Ancient era.
What philosophical movements is Qin Guli associated with?: Qin Guli was associated with Mohism.
What was Qin Guli known for?: Qin Guli was an early Chinese Mohist philosopher of the late fifth century BC, the principal disciple of Mozi and traditionally his successor as head of the Mohist school.
How many quotes are attributed to Qin Guli?: There are 15 attributed quotations from Qin Guli in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.