Confucius

Who was Confucius?

Confucius was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history.

The philosophy of Confucius emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. His followers competed successfully with many other schools during the Hundred Schools of Thought era only to be suppressed in favor of the Legalists during the Qin Dynasty. Following the victory of Han over Chu after the collapse of Qin, Confucius's thoughts received official sanction and were further developed into a system known as Confucianism.

Confucius is traditionally credited with having authored or edited many of the Chinese classic texts including all of the Five Classics, but modern scholars are cautious of attributing specific assertions to Confucius himself. Aphorisms concerning his teachings were compiled in the Analects, but only many years after his death.

Confucius's principles had a basis in common Chinese tradition and belief. He championed strong family loyalty, ancestor worship, respect of elders by their children of husbands by their wives. He also recommended family as a basis for ideal government. He espoused the well-known principle "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself", an early version of the Golden Rule.

Famous Quotes:

• Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.
• Learn as though you would never be able to master it; hold it as though you would be in fear of losing it.
• To see what is right, and not do it, is want of courage, or of principle.
• The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them.
• Man who stand on hill with mouth open will wait long time for roast duck to drop in.
• To be fond of learning is near to wisdom; to practice with vigor is near to benevolence; and to be conscious of shame is near to fortitude. He who knows these three things
• They must change who would be constant in happiness and wisdom.
• If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.
• It is man that makes truth great, not truth that makes man great.
• Silence is the true friend that never betrays.