Abstract: “Benevolence takes all things as one” is an important theoretical innovation in the history of Confucian benevolence.Inheriting this thought,Zhang Shi,a representative scholar of Huxiang school,deepened the proposition theoretically from many aspects.The heart of man is “the way of heaven is in me”,that is,the presentation of natural principles.Since people and all things are derived from the meaning of heaven and earth,we should “push” the spirit of benevolence to all things through a set of “reflexive and sincere” work,so as to achieve the goal of “The people are my compatriot and all things are my friends”.This kind of benevolence is not universal love.It must be realized through a set of practice of being close to the people,being kind to people and loving things.This seemingly separated and divided way of practice,such as differential pattern of love,is a real “great virtue” because it runs through the spirit of Confucianism.

Key words: Zhang Shi, benevolence, universal unity, differential pattern of benevolence