Confucius Biography
Confucius, also known as Kung the Master, is referred to as the "first teacher" and as the editor of the Chinese Culture.
Some important Confucist ideas are Jen, Chun-tzu, Li, Te, and Wen. Jen represents the ideal relationship that should exist between two people. It is characterized by goodness and human-heartedness. Confucius was an advocate of Jen. Jen is characterized by the "Silver Rule," which holds that you should not do onto others what you do not want done onto you (Note: This is not too far from the Golden Rule). Chun-tzu refers to a superior person-humanity at its best. A person who has chun-tzu is not mean or petty, but respectful and humble. Confucius believed that people with chun-tzu could help lead the world to peace. Li is the way things should be done. Confucius sought to show people this concept through patterns and ideas that already existed such as savoir faire (remaining graceful no matter what the circumstance) and esprit ("the right feel for things"). Te is the power by which men are ruled. Confucius believed that if the people trust and respect their leadership, then they are more likely to follow obediently. Wen is the "arts of peace," which include music, art. poetry, and other such things that contribute to culture.
551 BC - Confucius was born in the 22nd year of the reign of Duke Hsiang of Lu in Ch'ü-fu, state of Lu (now in Shantung Province, China). China's most famous teacher, philosopher, and political theorist, whose ideas have influenced the civilization of East Asia.
536 BC - He recalled toward the end of his life that at age 15 his heart was set upon learning. A historical account notes that, even though he was already known as an informed young scholar, he felt it appropriate to inquire about everything while visiting the Grand Temple.
532 BC - Confucius had served in minor government posts managing stables and keeping books for granaries before he married a woman of similar background when he was 19.
495 BC - He realized that his superiors were uninterested in his policies, Confucius left the country in an attempt to find another feudal state to which he could render his service. Despite his political frustration he was accompanied by an expanding circle of students during this self-imposed exile of almost 12 years.
484 BC - At the age of 67 he returned home to teach and to preserve his cherished classical traditions by writing and editing.
479 BC - He died at the age of 73. According to the Records of the Historian 72 of his students mastered the “six arts,” and those who claimed to be his followers numbered 3,000.
"It is only the wisest and the stupidest that cannot change."
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
"Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart."
"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."
"Do not use a cannon to kill a mosquito."
Confucius was a teacher, scholar and minor political official whose commentary on Chinese literary classics developed into a pragmatic philosophy for daily life. Not strictly religious, the teachings of Confucius were a utilitarian approach to social harmony and defined moral obligations between individuals and social systems. After his death his pupils collected notes on his sayings and doings and recorded them as the Analects. This compilation was added to over the years, and many sayings attributed to him are probably only loosely based on his teachings. His approach was formalized into a political and religious system during the Han Dynasty in the early part of the third century. It was embraced by subsequent generations and was the "state religion" of China until the latter part of the 20th century. In recent years critics have condemned Confucianism, characterizing its reliance on tradition as an impediment to modernization.
"Confucius" is the Latin rendering of his Chinese name, Kong Fu-Zi, which is sometimes also spelled as Kung Fu-Zi, K'ung-fu-tze, or in other variations. The name is unrelated to the martial art known as kung fu.
