Synopsis
Confucius (551-479 BCE) was China's greatest thinker and educator, founder of Confucianism. His ideas shaped East Asian civilization for over 2,000 years.
Overview
Confucius (551-479 BCE), personal name Qiu, courtesy name Zhongni, was born in the state of Lu in what is now Qufu, Shandong Province. He is the founder of Confucianism.
Life
Confucius grew up in poverty after his father died young. He worked as a minor official before beginning to teach around age 30, pioneering private education in China. At 51 he served in several government positions before traveling between states for 14 years promoting his political philosophy. He returned to Lu and devoted himself to education and editing ancient texts.
Core Ideas
| Concept | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ren | Love others, do not impose on others what you do not want |
| Yi | Do what is right |
| Li | Social norms and rituals |
| Zhi | Knowledge and wisdom |
| Xin | Honesty and trust |
Legacy
Confucius's thought became the orthodox ideology of Chinese society for over two millennia. The Temple of Confucius in Qufu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
References
- Sima Qian, Records of the Grand Historian
- The Analects
- Qian Mu, Biography of Confucius
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