Confucius was born in Shang-ping, a country of Lu, and became a philosopher, politician, educator, and the founder of Ru School of Chinese Thought. Confucius’ birthplace was Shang-ping. It is located in the Lu Country. Kong is his given name but he was called Kong-futse by his disciples. Kong is the teacher or master. He was just three when his father died. Confucius was raised by his mother Yan She. Confucius was a young man who loved to learn and expressed awe at the ancient laws that governed his country. Confucius was nineteen when he got married. He divorced her after four years so he had more time to devote to his studies and public duties. Confucius’ first important moral reform was a result of his mother dying when he turned twenty-three.
Confucius’ burial ceremony was so solemn and grand that it astonished his neighbors. Confucius spent three years in mourning at home, devoted to studying philosophy. He spent three years in mourning for his mother, spending the entire time studying philosophy. His career became a reflection of his moral system from that moment on. He taught his people the morality principle, and he embodied all the virtues that he had instilled into others. The practicality of his philosophy gradually grew, and he gained more disciples. Confucius’ disciples tended to be older and less enthusiastic. He preferred men in their middle years who were serious, respectful, sober and active in public life. The character of his philosophy and the design were revealed by this fact. The philosophy was not religious but moral. Its sole purpose was to prepare men for a life of honor and responsibility.
Confucius visited a number of states. Some were welcoming, others not. His later journeys were unfavorable. State after state refused improvement. Confucius has been persecuted in some cases. Confucius was imprisoned once and almost starved. After realizing that he would not be able to gain the attention of his countrymen he wanted while he was alive, he returned home and spent his final years writing literary works so that his descendants could at least learn from him. Confucius died 479 B.C., in his seventies. Confucius’ family and reputation improved immediately after his death. Confucius was honored by many Chinese people who built temples across the country to commemorate his work. Confucius taught and philosophized so well that it became the main source of education for China over a period of 2,000. Confucianism describes the complex system that Confucius created from ancient Chinese teachings. It includes moral, religious, social, and political teachings. Confucianism has as its goal to make man not only virtuous, he must also be a man full of knowledge and manners. The perfect gentleman must have the traits of a scholar as well. Confucianism focuses its worship on offerings made to the deceased. Duty is not limited to morals but includes all aspects of life.
The Analects provide the best understanding of Confucius. Analects have been controversially rewritten by Confucius’s followers or disciples. The Analects, they say, are incompatible and inconsistent, and therefore should not be used to study Confucius. Benjamin Schwartz warns against radical actions.
Textual criticism is important, but it must be based on a rigorous analysis of the text, based in philology and history. While the Analects do have late material, textual critics who base their criticism on alleged inconsistencies or incompatibilities in thought should be treated with suspicion. . . . Comparative thought requires us to constantly remind ourselves that we shouldn’t trust our preconceptions, even if they are not examined. Confucius was known for his moral and political philosophy. The philosophy was based on the belief in heaven and earth living together in harmony, with a balance of strength and dynamism. These conditions sustain human beings and they must emulate this cosmic model, according to him.
The Doctrine of the Mean elaborates the way of harmonious living; it provides the details of the lifestyle that, when it is recognized in the correct degree, is in harmony with the principle of equilibration, the basis of all. The ideas of harmony, balance and justice in the universe and within the individual were the foundation for both political theory and practical application. (Collinson. Plant, Wilkinson (Fifty Eastern thinkers),
