Against the background of the new times of “developing virtues for planting humans”as the fundamental mission of educational development for establishing Socialism with Chinese characteristics, this article attempts to analyze the thoughts of Ye Sheng from the perspective of their implications for this new times. Ye’s thoughts on moral education are grounded upon the notion of “Learning to be”, thus with lots of insights for practice, and this demonstrates the meaning and aims of moral education in modern China, and constructs the contents and core of moral education in modern China. Grounded upon “Learning to be” as the principle, this thoughts concludes the principle and method of moral education for modern China. This thought on moral education is also founded on educational practice in modern China, which carries the wonderful tradition of Chinese educational thoughts, and there wisdom for moral education practice for modern China. They also demonstrate the nature and principle for today’s moral education with Chinese characteristics, and consolidate the thought of “developing virtues for planting humans” as a fundamental mission in preparing the next generation as leaders for the socialist society.