The School grounds its teachings in Confucius through devoting its attention to the humanistic understanding of Heaven, humanity and the harmony between them, while also forming its own distinctive doctrines through concentrating on human self-cultivation and self-transformation. At the heart of Mencius' teaching is the belief that human beings are born with the knowledge of the good and the ability to do well. Everyone is born with what Mencius described as the 'four beginnings': benevolence, righteousness, respect and the capacity to distinguish the "right" from the "wrong". Anyone who fully realises his heart/mind understands Heaven and serves the mandate of Heaven, through which he is able to become a sage, and participates in the creation and recreation of Heaven and Earth.

These beliefs influenced Mencius' perception of politics. The doctrine of benevolence must be brought into politics so that government is humane and moral. It is the responsibility of the ruler to ensure the economic well being of his subjects, to provide them with education and, in doing so, to rule through winning their loyalty and confidence rather than through force.