Confucius

Lore & Background

Confucius was born into the class of shi, between aristocracy and commoners. His father Kong He died when Confucius was three, and he was raised in poverty by his mother Yan Zhengzai. He married Qi Guanshi at age 19, and they had a son, Kong Li, and two daughters, one of whom died young. Confucius was educated at schools for commoners, studying the Six Arts, and worked various government jobs in his early 20s, including as a bookkeeper and caretaker of sheep and horses. When his mother died, he mourned for three years.

Confucius's political career in the state of Lu saw him appointed governor of a town in 501 BCE, eventually rising to Minister of Crime. He sought to return authority to the duke by dismantling fortifications of the three aristocratic families (Ji, Meng, and Shu). Through diplomacy, he succeeded in convincing the Shu family to raze the walls of Hou, the Ji family to raze Bi, and the Meng family to raze Cheng. During a revolt by Gongshan Furao, Confucius ordered an assault against the rebels. He disapproved of violent revolution on principle.

Reader's Guide

Confucius's significance lies in his foundational role in shaping Chinese civilization and the broader Sinosphere. His teachings, compiled posthumously in the Analects, emphasized filial piety, family loyalty, ancestor veneration, and the Silver Rule: 'Do not do unto others what you do not want done to yourself.' Confucianism became the official state ideology under Emperor Wu of Han, with affiliated works becoming mandatory for officialdom. During the Tang and Song dynasties, it evolved into Neo-Confucianism, and in the 20th century, New Confucianism sought to apply his ideas in a modern context. From ancient dynasties to the modern era, Confucianism has integrated into the Chinese social fabric and way of life. Confucius considered himself a transmitter of earlier values, and modern scholars caution that some texts and philosophy associated with him may be of more ancient origin.

Did You Know?

• The name 'Confucius' is a Latinized form of Kǒngfūzǐ, coined by Jesuit missionaries in the late 16th century.
• His given name Qiu means 'hill' or 'mound', referring to his unusual head shape with a sunken top.
• His courtesy name Zhongni indicates he was the second son in his family.
• Confucius is traditionally credited with authoring or editing all of the Five Classics, though modern scholars are cautious about this attribution.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Man has three ways of acting wisely. First, on meditation; that is the noblest. Secondly, on imitation; that is the easiest. Thirdly, on experience; that is the bitterest." — Confucius "Variation: By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is the noblest; Second, by imitation, which is the easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." — Confucius "It is not truth that makes man great, but man that makes truth great." — Confucius "It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them." — Confucius