Final answer:
Mencius did not study directly with Confucius as he was born after Confucius's death; instead, he later expanded on Confucius's teachings, promoting the idea of innate human benevolence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Mencius studied with Confucius is false. Mencius, or Mengzi, was born in 372 BCE, well after Confucius's death in 479 BCE, and therefore could not have been his disciple. While Mencius is considered one of the foremost interpreters and developers of Confucius's ideas, he was a later follower who expanded Confucian teachings and did not personally interact with Confucius. The relationship between Mencius and Confucius parallels how students today study the ideas of historical figures and further their legacies without having lived during their time.
Mencius is best known for his doctrine that human beings are innately benevolent, which he supported by asserting that all humans have the tendency toward the five constant virtues. His contributions were pivotal in spreading the ideas of Confucianism and securing the philosophical foundations for Confucius's lasting influence.