Confucius may rightly be regarded as the first great Chinese philosopher. Although some later Chinese would develop a Confucian religion, Confucius was no religious leader nor did he claim any special divine status. Confucius was, in fact, merely one who sought to teach those around him the meaning of virtue, piety, good government and filial duty.

Confucius (Kong Fu Zi), a humble man from poor beginnings, became so influential that his teachings inspired a philosophy, a religion, and a way of life that has lasted until today.

From his basic "sayings" in The Analects, or discussions, there developed a philosophy, a social system and a political system which was based on harmony, tolerance, and merit.

Confucius was born in answer to his parents' prayers at a sacred hill called Ni. Confucius' surname Kong means literally an utterance of thankfulness when prayers have been answered.

It is probable that as a child, Confucius had the sensitivity and perception of one well beyond his tender years, choosing his favoured play things from among the ritual vessels associated with the rites or formal ceremonies of his day. He was far from a wealthy family, although he was said to be of aristocratic descent.

By the time he was fifteen, Confucius had resolved to devote his energy to the pursuit of learning, and perhaps already in his heart of hearts; strived the noble spirit of reform and justice for all, the ideals which he was to champion throughout a lifetime of disillusionment.

Growing up as he did in comparative poverty, Confucius viewed the world from the practical perspective of one who had experienced some of its practical perspective of one who had experienced some its harshest realities. Aged just three when his father died, Confucius was raised by his mother, and was obliged to work at several jobs to help support the family. At various stages of his life, the man who one day would be revered as the greatest Chinese philosopher, employed his abilities as shepherd, cowherd, clerk and bookkeeper.

Confucius married at the age of nineteen to a young girl named Chi Kuan. Their eldest child, a son, K'ung Li was born a year later.

At the age of 22, Confucius initiated what is considered to be the first private school, expounding to those who listened, his ideals of personal conduct, of government and of justice by law. Perhaps the most important, was his growing conviction of the value of education for the people, possibly derived from his own appreciation for learning, and the realization that only through education might there be equality among men. He believed that comprehensive education made a complete man, and he placed as much store by the moral aspects of education as his literary aspects.

With the exception of a wooden sculpture of Confucius attributed to his contemporary and disciple, Tzu Kung, there is no evidence to suggest the physical appearance of the Sage. However, from his conversation and discourses in "The Lun Yii"; there emerges the portrait of a man of supreme dignity of bearing, graceful in his movements, formal in his conduct, stern yet compassionate. Confucius was a man of formidable eloquence, enlightened beyond his time.

As was customary in his days, Confucius cultivated the gentlemanly arts of which he held to be a key to universal harmony. According to Confucius, music was a reflection of the superior man, and mirrored his true character, the unmasking of deception and hypocricity. Confucius also considered that the essence of the rites should be spiritual rather than physical.

At the age of 51, Confucius was appointed head official of the town of Chung Tu, in Lu. Within a year he had accomplished such a great deal that he was promoted first to the post of Official of Public Works, then that of Grand Official of Justice for the State of Lu.

But his time in politic was relatively short. In circa 497 BC, he left Lu once again, accompanied by his most faithful followers, prompted by the spiritual and moral shortcomings he perceived in the leadership and among his fellow officials.

Confucius was destined to roam from State to State for the next 13 years, searching always and everywhere for the perfect platform upon which to set his ideals into practice. But it was not to be.

When Confucius was 69 years old, he returned to Lu, his home state, and he died there 3 years after settling in Lu.

After Confucius died, he was buried in a grave in the city of Kufow. Yet, when the philosopher died, many people honoured all of Confucius' work by building temples in every city in China to honour Confucius. Since Confucius' teachings and philosophy was so advanced, it was the education for China for 2,000 years.

It is called Confucianism which is often characterized as a system of social and ethical philosophy rather than a religion.

Confucius did not intend to found a new religion, but to interpret and revive the unnamed religion of the Zhou (Chou) dynasty.

Confucius helped many people learn about many important things in life. He helped emperors and people solve problems with his stunning philosophy. The people of China would not have learned such important morals, or lessons, if it weren't for the famous philosopher that guided the people in the art of philosophy.

The basic ideal of Confucius was that of Jen which means benevolence, true manhood, altruism, character, human-heartedness, steadfastness, and humanity. When Jen is applied to human relations it becomes Te, which is translated as "virtue".

Confucius, however, believed that the basis lay in Zhou religion, in its rituals (li). Li establishes harmony in the individual, the home, the village, and the country.

"Someone who is a clever speaker and maintains a 'too-smiley' face is seldom considered a person of jen."

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".

"Each day I examine myself in three ways: in doing things for others, have I been disloyal? In my interactions with friends, have I been untrustworthy? Have not practiced what I have preached?"

"If you would govern a state of a thousand chariots (a small-to-middle-size state), you must pay strict attention to business, be true to your word, be economical in expenditure and love the people. You should use them according to the seasons."

"A young man should serve his parents at home and be respectful to elders outside his home. He should be earnest and truthful, loving all, but become intimate with jen. After doing this, if he has energy to spare, he can study literature and the arts."

"If the Superior Man is not 'heavy,' then he will not inspire awe in others. If he is not learned, then he will not be on firm ground. He takes loyalty and good faith to be of primary importance, and has no friends who are not of equal (moral) calibre. When he makes a mistake, he doesn't hesitate to correct it."

"When your father is alive, observe his will. When your father is dead observe his former actions. If, for three years you do not change from the ways of your father, you can be called a 'real son (hsiao).'"

"When the Superior Man eats he does not try to stuff himself; at rest he does not seek perfect comfort; he is diligent in his work and careful in speech. He avails himself to people of the Tao and thereby corrects himself. This is the kind of person of whom you can say, 'he loves learning.'"

"Ah, now I can begin to discuss the Book of Odes with Tz'u. I give him a hint and he gets the whole point."

"If you govern with the power of your virtue, you will be like the North Star. It just stays in its place while all the other stars position themselves around it."

"If you govern the people legalistically and control them by punishment, they will avoid crime, but have no personal sense of shame. If you govern them by means of virtue and control them with propriety, they will gain their own sense of shame, and thus correct themselves."

"At fifteen my heart was set on learning; at thirty I stood firm; at forty I had no more doubts; at fifty I knew the mandate of heaven; at sixty my ear was obedient; at seventy I could follow my heart's desire without transgressing the norm."

"I can talk with Hui for a whole day without him differing with me in any way--as if he is stupid. But when he retires and I observe his personal affairs, it is quite clear that he is not stupid."