Confucius (born 551, Qufu, state of Lu [now in Shandong province, China]—died 479 bce, Lu) was China’s most famous teacher, philosopher, and political theorist, whose ideas have profoundly influenced the civilizations of China and other East Asian countries. Confucius was born near the end of an era known in Chinese history as the Spring and Autumn Period (770–481 BCE). His home was in Lu, a regional state of eastern China.

 (c. 551 – c. 479 BCE), born Kong Qiu, was a Chinese philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period who is traditionally considered the paragon of Chinese sages. Much of the shared cultural heritage of the Sinosphere originates in the philosophy and teachings of Confucius.[1] His philosophical teachings, called Confucianism, emphasized personal and governmental morality, harmonious social relationships, righteousness, kindness, sincerity, and a ruler's responsibilities to lead by virtue.

Confucius considered himself a transmitter for the values of earlier periods which he claimed had been abandoned in his time. He advocated for filial piety, endorsing strong family loyalty, ancestor veneration, and the respect of elders by their children and of husbands by their wives. Confucius recommended a robust family unit as the cornerstone for an ideal government. He championed the Silver Rule, or a negative form of the Golden Rule, advising, "Do not do unto others what you do not want done to yourself."[3]

The time of Confucius's life saw a rich diversity of thought, and was a formative period in China's intellectual history. His ideas gained in prominence during the Warring States period, but experienced setback immediately following the Qin conquest. Under Emperor Wu of Han, Confucius's ideas received official sanction, with affiliated works becoming mandatory readings for career paths leading to officialdom. During the Tang and Song dynasties, Confucianism developed into a system known in the West as Neo-Confucianism. In the 20th century, an intellectual movement emerged in the Republic of China that sought to apply Confucian ideology in a modern context, known as New Confucianism. From ancient dynasties to the modern era, Confucianism has integrated into the Chinese social fabric and way of life.

Traditionally, Confucius is credited with having authored or edited many of the ancient texts including all of the Five Classics. However, modern scholars exercise caution in attributing specific assertions to Confucius himself, for at least some of the texts and philosophy associated with him were of a more ancient origin.[5] Aphorisms concerning his teachings were compiled in the Analects, but not until many years after his death.

In Confucius's time, the state of Lu was headed by a ruling ducal house. Under the duke were three aristocratic families, whose heads bore the title of viscount and held hereditary positions in the Lu bureaucracy. The Ji family held the position "Minister over the Masses", who was also the "Prime Minister"; the Meng family held the position "Minister of Works"; and the Shu family held the position "Minister of War". In the winter of 505 BCE, Yang Hu—a retainer of the Ji family—rose up in rebellion and seized power from the Ji family. However, by the summer of 501 BCE, the three hereditary families had succeeded in expelling Yang Hu from Lu. By then, Confucius had built up a considerable reputation through his teachings, while the families came to see the value of proper conduct and righteousness, so they could achieve loyalty to a legitimate government. Thus, that year (501 BCE), Confucius came to be appointed to the minor position of governor of a town. Eventually, he rose to the position of Minister of Crime.[23] The Xunzi says that once assuming the post, Confucius ordered the execution of Shaozheng Mao, another Lu state official and scholar whose lectures attracted the three thousand disciples several times except Yan Hui. Shaozheng Mao was accused of 'five crimes', each worth execution, including 'concealed evilness, stubborn abnormality, eloquent duplicity, erudition in bizarre facts and generosity to evildoers'.

― Confucious

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”

― Confucius

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”

― Confucious

“Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.”

― Confucius

“He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.”

― Confucius

“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”

― Confucius

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

― Confucius

“If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.”

― Confucius

“Study the past if you would define the future.”

― Confucius

“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”

― Confucius

“The funniest people are the saddest ones”

― Confucius

“To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it.”

― Confucius

“The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

“Respect yourself and others will respect you.”

― Confucius, The Sayings of Confucius

“When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.”

― Confucius

“Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.”

― Confucius

“Silence is a true friend who never betrays.”

― Confucius

“You cannot open a book without learning something.”

― Confucius

“What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.”

― Confucius

“We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.”

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”

“The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat.”

― Confucius

“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.”

― Confucius, The Book of Rites

“The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.”

― Confucius

“Give a bowl of rice to a man and you will feed him for a day. Teach him how to grow his own rice and you will save his life.”

― Confucius

“The way out is through the door. Why is it that no one will use this method?”

“It is not the failure of others to appreciate your abilities that should trouble you, but rather your failure to appreciate theirs.”

― Confucius

“The man of wisdom is never of two minds;

the man of benevolence never worries;

the man of courage is never afraid.”

― Confucius

“Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.”

― Confucius

“It is more shameful to distrust our friends than to be deceived by them.”