The ancient Chinese believed that virtuous men followed the will of heaven in

establishing a political regime and becoming its sovereigns; hence their success

came from the mandate of heaven. This thought is similar to the Western notion

of the divine right of kings; but it also emphasizes the wishes and will of the

people, or people-centered thinking. In ancient China, this phrase was often

used in praise of the founding of a new dynasty, and the implementation of

major social reforms to justify its legitimacy.