Confucius (551–479 BC) was a thinker, statesman, and educator of the late Spring and Autumn period, as well as the founder of the Confucian school of thought. Born Kong Qiu, with the courtesy name Zhongni, he was a native of Zouyi in the State of Lu (located in present-day southeast Qufu, Shandong Province).
He experienced poverty in his early years but set his heart on learning at the age of fifteen. He successively sought knowledge from scholars such as Tanzi, Shixiang, and Laozi (author of the Dao De Jing). He initially held minor official posts in the State of Lu, serving as a master of ceremonies, a granary keeper, and a livestock manager. Later, during the reign of Duke Ding of Lu, he was promoted to the positions of Governor of Zhongdu and Minister of Justice (Da Sikou).
Dissatisfied with the governance of Ji Huanzi, the chief minister of Lu, Confucius left his home state and traveled through various states including Wei, Song, Chen, Cai, and Chu. However, his political philosophies were never adopted by the rulers of these states. He eventually returned to Lu, where he dedicated himself to teaching. Historical records state that he had three thousand disciples, over seventy of whom were thoroughly proficient in the “Six Arts.”
Confucius advocated for “benevolent governance,” proposing concepts such as “governing with virtue” and “the benevolent love others,” while strongly opposing oppressive government and excessive taxation. His ideology, after being supplemented, revised, and transformed by scholars throughout the ages since Dong Zhongshu in the Han Dynasty, became the ruling orthodoxy of China’s feudal society.
He compiled and edited the Classic of Poetry, Book of Documents, Book of Rites, Book of Music, and I Ching, and revised the Spring and Autumn Annals; these were collectively known by later generations as the “Six Classics” and revered as Confucian canonical texts. Furthermore, his educational philosophies – such as “education without discrimination,” “teaching and learning benefit each other,” and “teaching students in accordance with their aptitude” – played a positive and pivotal role in the development of ancient education.
Honored by rulers of successive dynasties as the “Supreme Sage and Teacher,” his words and deeds are primarily recorded in the Analects, a compilation assembled by his disciples and their successors.
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