Confucius

Confucius Kǒngzǐ
孔子
Tang-era depiction of Confucius by Wu Daozi (685–758)
Born	Kong Qiu c. 551 BCE Zou, Lu (now Qufu, Shandong)
Died	c. 479 BCE (aged 71–72) Si River, Lu
Resting place	Cemetery of Confucius, Lu
Region	Chinese philosophy
School	Confucianism
Notable students	Disciples Yan Hui Zengzi
Main interests	Ethics education music political philosophy social philosophy
Chinese name
Chinese	孔子
Hanyu Pinyin	Kǒngzǐ
Literal meaning	Master Kong
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Kǒngzǐ Bopomofo ㄎㄨㄥˇ ㄗˇ Gwoyeu Romatzyh Koongtzyy Wade–Giles K'ung3-tzu3 Tongyong Pinyin Kǒng-zǐh Yale Romanization Kǔngd IPA [kʰʊ̀ŋ.tsɹ̩̀] Wu Romanization Khon-tzy Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Húngjí Jyutping Hung2 zi2 IPA [hʊŋ˧˥ tsi˧˥] Southern Min Hokkien POJ Khóng-chú Tâi-lô Khóng-tsú Middle Chinese Middle Chinese khúwng tsí Old Chinese Baxter (1992) *khongʔ tsɨʔ Baxter–Sagart (2014) *[k]ʰˤoŋʔ tsəʔ
Kong Qiu
Chinese	孔丘
Hanyu Pinyin	Kǒng Qiū
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Kǒng Qiū Bopomofo ㄎㄨㄥˇ ㄑㄧㄡ Gwoyeu Romatzyh Koong Chiou Wade–Giles Kʻung3 Chʻiu1 Tongyong Pinyin Kǒng Ciou Yale Romanization Kǔng Chyōu IPA [kʰʊ̀ŋ tɕʰjóʊ] Wu Romanization Khon Chieu Hakka Romanization Kung3 Hiu1 Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Húng Yāu Jyutping Hung2 jau1 IPA [hʊŋ˧˥ jɐw˥] Southern Min Hokkien POJ Khóng Khiu Tâi-lô Khóng Khiu Middle Chinese Middle Chinese Khúwng Khjuw Old Chinese Baxter–Sagart (2014) *[k]ʰˤoŋʔ [k]ʷʰə
Japanese name
Kanji	孔子
Hiragana	こうし
Transcriptions Revised Hepburn Kōshi Kunrei-shiki Kôsi

Confucius (孔子; pinyin: Kǒngzǐ; lit. 'Master Kong'; c. 551 – c. 479 BCE), born Kong Qiu (孔丘), was a Chinese philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period who is traditionally considered the paragon of Chinese sages, as well as the first teacher in China to advocate for mass education. 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,^[2] kindness, sincerity, and a ruler's responsibilities to lead by virtue.^[3]

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, 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."^[4]

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, and later as New Confucianism. From ancient dynasties to the modern era, Confucianism has integrated into the Chinese social fabric and way of life.^[5]

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.^[6] Aphorisms concerning his teachings were compiled in the Analects, but not until many years after his death.