Kong Qiu (Confucius)
Ancient China
551 BCE – 479 BCE · Chinese
Sage of Moral Philosophy
1 lesson on the calendar
Sep 28
Traditional Birth of Confucius
551 BCE
About
Confucius was a Chinese philosopher whose teachings on morality, social relationships, and governance shaped East Asian civilization for over two millennia. His collected sayings, the Analects, emphasize virtue, proper conduct (ritual), and the cultivation of character.
Key Facts
Teachings compiled in the Analects by his disciples
Emphasized ren (humaneness/benevolence) as the highest virtue
His philosophy shaped Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese culture
Served as a minister in the state of Lu before years of exile
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