Confucius (September 28, 551 BC – April 11, 479 BC), given name Qiu and courtesy name Zhongni, was born in the state of Lu’s Zouyi (present-day Qufu, Shandong Province), with ancestral roots in Liyi, the state of Song (modern-day Xiayi County, Henan Province). His father, Shuliang He, was a minor official, and his mother was from the Yan clan. A renowned ancient Chinese philosopher, statesman, and educator, Confucius was the founder of Confucianism, a school of thought whose essence remains a vital part of China’s outstanding traditional culture.
Orphaned of his father at three, Confucius grew up in reduced circumstances. In his youth, he worked minor jobs managing granaries and livestock. From a young age, he "loved rituals", mastering traditional rites and ceremonies, and by adulthood, he was already well-known in Lu for his extensive knowledge of ritual and music. He made a living as a Ru scholar, specializing in funeral and sacrificial rites.
In middle age, he began gathering disciples to teach, dedicating himself to education. At fifty, he briefly served as Minister of Justice in Lu and even acted as prime minister, attempting to implement his political ideals. However, due to disagreements with the ruling class, he soon resigned and left Lu, traveling for fourteen years across various states with his disciples to promote his political and philosophical ideas—though none of the rulers adopted them.
In his later years, he returned to Lu, devoting himself to education, compiling the Book of Songs and Book of Documents, and editing the Spring and Autumn Annals, making the transmission of the Six Classics his lifelong mission.
After his death, his disciples and their successors recorded Confucius’s sayings, dialogues, and teachings, compiling them into the Analects (Lunyu), which became a core Confucian classic.
Confucius’s impact on later generations has been profound and enduring:
His concepts of "Benevolence (Ren)" and "Rites (Li)" became foundational principles for state governance and personal cultivation.
His philosophy of "Education Without Discrimination" broke class barriers, allowing Chinese civilization to be passed down universally.
His systematic compilation of ancient texts not only preserved cultural heritage but also imbued it with deeper philosophical meaning, shaping China’s intellectual tradition for millennia.
Confucius remains one of history’s most influential thinkers, revered as the "Sage of Chinese Culture" whose teachings continue to guide moral, social, and political thought worldwide.
| full name | Confucius |
| alias | Ni Fu and Confucius |
| word | Confucius |
| surname | son |
| surname | hole |
| The era in which it is located | end of the Spring and Autumn Period |
| Ethnic groups | Huaxia ethnic group |
| one's native heath | Kuiyi, State of Lu (now Qufu, Shandong) |
| date of birth | September 28, 551 BC (disputed) |
| date of death | April 11th, 479 BC |
| Main achievements | Establishing the Confucian School, revising the Six Classics, and founding private schools |
| Main works | Six Classics |
| My real name | Kong Qiu |
| ancestral home | Liyi, Song Dynasty (now Xiayi, Henan) |
| Foreign Name | Confucius |
Confucius descended from aristocratic roots in the state of Song, with his ancestors tracing back to King Tang, the founding ruler of the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC).
After the Rebellion of the Three Guards during the early Zhou Dynasty, Duke of Zhou, seeking to pacify the remnants of the Shang nobility, enfeoffed Weizi Qi (the elder brother of the last Shang king, King Zhou) at Shangqiu, establishing the State of Song as a continuation of Shang’s ancestral rites.
Weizi Qi was succeeded by his younger brother Weizhong, who became Confucius’s 14th-generation ancestor.
By the 6th generation, the family adopted the surname Kong, with Kong Fu Jia (Confucius’s 6th-generation ancestor) serving as a high-ranking minister (Dafu) and Grand Marshal (Da Sima) of Song.
Kong Fu Jia was killed during a coup by Hua Du, the chancellor of Song, who also assassinated Duke Min of Song.
Following the political turmoil, Kong Fu Jia’s descendants fled to the State of Lu (marking the family’s relocation to Lu). Stripped of their noble rank, they were reduced to the Shi class (lower aristocracy, akin to scholar-gentry).
Confucius’s great-grandfather, Kong Fangshu, served as a local magistrate of Fangyi in Lu.
Little is recorded about his grandfather, Bo Xia.
His father, Shuliang He (叔梁纥), was a warrior renowned for his strength and bravery.
Shuliang He’s primary wife (of the Shi family) bore him nine daughters but no male heir. A concubine bore his eldest son, Meng Pi, who suffered from a foot deformity, disappointing Shuliang He.
Determined to have a healthy heir, the elderly Shuliang He (then 66) sought a young bride from the Yan family.
The youngest daughter, Yan Zhengzai (颜徵在), under 20, agreed to marry him despite the vast age difference.
Their union was considered improper by ritual standards ("wild union" – 野合). They lived near Mount Ni, where Confucius was conceived.
Though born into a once-powerful noble lineage, Confucius grew up in relative obscurity after his family’s exile and decline. His father’s unconventional marriage and early death left Confucius in humble circumstances, shaping his later emphasis on merit over birthright—a cornerstone of Confucian philosophy.
Birth and Naming (551 BC)
On September 28, 551 BC, Confucius was born in Zouyi, Changping Township, State of Lu (present-day Luyuan Village, Nanxin Town, Qufu, Shandong). Legend holds that he was born with a depressed fontanelle (a sunken skull), resembling a hill. Since his mother, Yan Zhengzai, had prayed for a child at Mount Niqiu, he was named "Qiu" (meaning "hill") with the courtesy name "Zhongni".
Loss of His Father (549 BC)
In 549 BC, when Confucius was three years old, his father, Shuliang He, passed away. After his death, Shuliang He’s primary wife, Lady Shi, expelled Yan Zhengzai from the household. The young widow took Confucius and his half-brother Meng Pi (born of a concubine) to Que Lane in Qufu, where they lived in poverty.
Determination to Study (537 BC)
By 537 BC, at fifteen, Confucius had already developed a strong sense of purpose. He later reflected, "At fifteen, I set my heart upon learning" (Analects 2:4), demonstrating his early commitment to scholarship and self-cultivation.
Death of His Mother (535 BC)
In 535 BC, when Confucius was seventeen, his mother, Yan Zhengzai, died. He fulfilled his filial duty by burying her alongside his father. That same year, Ji Sunshi, a high-ranking Lu minister, hosted a banquet for nobles of the "Shi" (knightly) rank. Confucius attended in mourning attire, but Yang Hu, Ji Sunshi’s steward, barred him from entering. This humiliation left a deep impression on the young Confucius, exposing him to the harsh realities of social hierarchy.
Marriage and Family (533 BC)
In 533 BC, at nineteen, after completing his mourning period, Confucius traveled to the State of Song, his ancestral homeland. To facilitate visits for ancestral worship, he married Lady Qiguan, a woman from Song. The following year (532 BC), she bore him a son. Duke Zhao of Lu sent a gift of carp to congratulate him, prompting Confucius to name his son "Li" (Carp) with the courtesy name "Boyu".
These formative experiences shaped Confucius’s resilient character:
Orphaned young (lost father at 3, mother at 17)
Lived in poverty, yet cultivated intellectual ambition
Faced social exclusion, fueling his later emphasis on merit over birthright
Rooted in tradition, as seen in his marriage to maintain ancestral ties
These hardships laid the foundation for his lifelong pursuit of knowledge, ethical governance, and social harmony.
In 532 BC, Lady Qiguan gave birth to Confucius's son, Kong Li (Boyu)—reportedly named after Duke Zhao of Lu gifted carp to celebrate. By his twenties, Confucius aspired to public service, keenly observing state affairs and formulating governance theories.
532 BC: Began as "Weili" (仓库管理员), overseeing granaries.
531 BC: Transferred to "Sheng Tian" (乘田), managing livestock—a role reflecting his humble upbringing.
525 BC: Interviewed Tanzi, a visiting official from Tan State, about ancient bureaucracy. Around this time, he established a private school.
522 BC (Age 30): Gained recognition for his intellect. Duke Jing of Qi and minister Yan Ying visited Lu, discussing Duke Mu of Qin's hegemony with Confucius, marking his debut in high-level diplomacy.
517 BC: Fled to Qi after a coup forced Duke Zhao of Lu into exile. Duke Jing of Qi admired Confucius, nearly granting him land at Nixi, but Yan Ying blocked the appointment.
516 BC: Advised Duke Jing on governance: "Let rulers be rulers, subjects be subjects, fathers be fathers, sons be sons." Enthralled by Qi's Shao music, he famously "forgot the taste of meat for three months."
515 BC: Escaped assassination plots by Qi nobles. Duke Jing abandoned him, saying, "I’m too old to help."
514 BC: Praised Wei Xianzi of Jin for promoting officials by merit, not kinship.
513 BC: Criticized Jin’s "Criminal Code Bronze Vessels", predicting the state’s collapse due to flawed laws.
512 BC (Age 40): Reached intellectual clarity, declaring "no more doubts."
504 BC: Refused office under Yang Hu, the usurping steward of the Ji family, focusing instead on compiling Classics (Poetry, Documents, Rites, Music).
500 BC: Appointed Minister of Justice (Da Sikou) and acting prime minister. Ordered the execution of Shaozheng Mao for corruption, displaying the body for three days—a move that briefly restored order.
498 BC: Launched the "Three City Walls Demolition" campaign to weaken the Three Huan clans (usurping nobles). The plan failed, exposing his rift with powerholders.
497 BC (Age 55): Resigned after the Ji family accepted 80 Qi courtesans, neglecting governance. When denied ritual sacrificial meat—a symbolic dismissal—he left Lu, beginning his 14-year exile across states.
496 BC: Confucius left Lu for Wei, where Lady Nanzi (notorious wife of Duke Ling of Wei) summoned him. His disciple Zilu criticized this meeting.
Received a salary (60,000 hu of grain) but no official post. After 10 months, slander led Duke Ling to spy on him, forcing Confucius to depart for Chen.
Trapped twice: First in Kuang (5-day siege due to mistaken identity), then in Pu (caught in a rebellion by Wei noble Gongshu Shi). Returned to Wei after escaping.
493 BC: Duke Ling asked about governance; Confucius politely declined. Fled west through:
Cao: Ignored by Duke Bo Yang.
Song: Threatened by Minister Huan Tui, forcing Confucius to disguise himself.
Chen: Ambushed by laborers, starving for 7 days until Zigong secured rescue from Chu troops.
492 BC (Age 60): Separated from disciples in Zheng, mocked as "a stray dog".
491–490 BC: Traveled to Cai and Ye, where Duke Ye asked about governance and morality. Met hermits criticizing his ideals.
489 BC: Starved again between Chen and Cai; disciples fell ill. Saved by Chu intervention.
488 BC: Back in Wei, argued that "rectifying names" (正名) must precede governance.
485 BC: His wife, Lady Qiguan, died in Wei.
484 BC: Disciple Ran Qiu led Lu to victory against Qi, crediting Confucius’ teachings. Invited back to Lu after 14 years of exile, but remained unemployed in office.
Political Frustration: Rejected by 10+ states for his rigid ethics (e.g., refusing Wei’s salary without power, criticizing corrupt rulers).
Resilience: Survived sieges, starvation, and mockery, yet upheld his creed: "The noble man acts by ritual, gives generously, follows the Mean, and dies humbly."
Teaching Amid Turmoil: Disciples like Ran Qiu and Zigong proved his ideals practically viable, laying groundwork for Confucianism’s later dominance.
His exile—a failed political mission but a philosophical triumph—forged the Analects’ core themes: moral leadership, resilience, and the cost of integrity.
Confucius devoted himself to teaching and compiling classical texts in Lu.
That winter, his son Kong Li (Boyu) passed away, marking another personal tragedy.
At 70, Confucius reflected: "I could follow my heart’s desires without overstepping the bounds of propriety." (Analects 2:4)
His beloved disciple Yan Hui died prematurely, plunging him into deep grief. He lamented:
"Those who once followed me through hardship in Chen and Cai—none are left to learn from me now."
Spring: A qilin (mythical beast) was captured during a hunt. Confucius interpreted this as an ill omen, declaring: "My path has reached its end." He abandoned editing the Spring and Autumn Annals.
June: In Qi, Chen Heng assassinated Duke Jian of Qi. Confucius:
Observed 3 days of ritual purification, then urged Duke Ai of Lu to punish the regicide. Rejected.
Appealed to Ji Kangzi, the de facto ruler. Dismissed again.
Though physically weakened, Confucius remained intellectually active:
Compiled the Five Classics (Book of Songs, Documents, Rites, Changes, Spring and Autumn Annals).
Taught disciples like Zengzi and Zisi, ensuring his legacy’s transmission.
April 11, 479 BC: Confucius died at 73, uttering: "No ruler understands me; better to die than linger unseen."
Posthumous Honors:
Duke Ai of Lu eulogized him as "the uncrowned king."
Disciples mourned for 3 years; Zigong guarded his tomb for 6 years.
His final years crystallized Confucianism’s core paradox:
A failed statesman—yet the architect of East Asia’s moral and political order.
A mourned teacher—whose ideas outlived empires.
As Mencius later declared: "Since humanity began, none has surpassed Confucius."
Confucius suffered another devastating loss when his loyal disciple Zilu was killed in a Wei civil war—his body chopped into mincemeat.
This tragedy deepened Confucius’s grief, and he sensed his approaching end.
Zigong, his most devoted disciple, arrived late for a final visit. Confucius, leaning on a staff at his gate, rebuked him:
"Why have you come so late?"
He then uttered a deathbed prophecy, weeping:
"The sacred mountain Taishan must crumble;
The mighty beam must rot and break;
The wise man must wither like grass.
The world has long lost the Way—
No ruler heeds my teachings now.
My mission has failed.
The Xia buried their dead at the eastern steps,
The Zhou at the western steps,
The Shang between two pillars.
Last night, I dreamed I was worshipped between pillars—
My ancestors were Shang nobles."
This dream signified his impending death, linking him to his Shang dynasty heritage.
Seven days later, Confucius died at 73, his body laid to rest on the north bank of the Si River in Lu.
Disciples’ Fidelity:
Most disciples mourned for three years (traditional mourning for a father).
Zigong alone guarded the tomb for six years, an unparalleled act of devotion.
The Birth of "Kong Village" (孔里):
Over 100 families of disciples and locals settled near his tomb, forming a scholarly community.
From Home to Temple:
His former residence was converted into a memorial temple, becoming a sacred site of worship.
Confucius died a disillusioned man, believing his political ideals had failed. Yet:
His disciples preserved his teachings, shaping 2,500 years of East Asian civilization.
His tomb and temple in Qufu remain UNESCO World Heritage Sites, visited by millions.
As the Analects state: "The noble man fears only that after death, his name will not be remembered."
Confucius’ name endures—not in monuments, but in the moral conscience of humanity.
Confucius established a comprehensive moral and philosophical system centered on virtue (德, dé) and the Way (道, dào), shaping Chinese civilization for millennia. His teachings emphasized:
仁 (rén) – Humaneness & Compassion
The foundation of moral character: "Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire." (Analects 15:24)
A universal humanitarian principle: "The noble person helps others achieve their good, not their evil." (Analects 12:16)
礼 (lǐ) – Ritual & Social Order
Not mere ceremony, but the framework of a harmonious society.
"To subdue oneself and return to ritual is benevolence." (Analects 12:1)
Rooted in the belief in human goodness ("What Heaven imparts to man is called human nature." – Doctrine of the Mean).
Lifelong self-improvement:
"At 15, I set my heart on learning; at 30, I stood firm; at 40, I was free from delusions; at 50, I understood Heaven’s will; at 60, my ear was attuned; at 70, I could follow my heart’s desires without overstepping bounds." (Analects 2:4)
Rule by Virtue: Leaders should govern through moral example, not coercion.
Rectification of Names (正名, zhèngmíng): Social roles must align with ethical responsibilities ("Let the ruler be a ruler, the subject a subject.").
Meritocracy: Advocate for promoting the worthy, regardless of birth.
East Asia: Formed the ethical backbone of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese societies.
Modern Relevance:
Human Rights: His "Golden Rule" ("Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself") parallels global ethics.
Social Harmony: His emphasis on duty, respect, and balance remains vital in governance and education.
Confucius did not just shape China—he articulated timeless principles for human flourishing. In an age of chaos, he taught that true order comes from moral leadership, not force. Today, as societies seek justice, harmony, and meaning, his voice still resonates:
"The noble person seeks harmony, not uniformity." (Analects 13:23)
His wisdom—not carved in stone, but etched in the human heart—continues to guide humanity toward a more compassionate and just world.
Yan Yuan, a disciple of Confucius: "The more I look up to it, the higher it becomes; the more I delve into it, the harder it becomes. Seeing it before me, suddenly it is behind me. The Master skillfully guides me step by step. He broadens me with literature and restrains me with rituals, making it impossible for me to stop." (Analects · Zihan)
Zai Wo, a disciple of Confucius: "In my view, the Master is far superior to Yao and Shun." (Mencius · Gongsun Chou I)
Zi Gong, a disciple of Confucius: "The worthiness of others is like a hill that can still be climbed over; but Confucius is like the sun and moon, which cannot be surpassed." (Analects · Zizhang)
Mencius, a Warring States philosopher: "Since the birth of mankind, there has never been anyone like Confucius." (Mencius · Gongsun Chou I)
Chang Hong: "I observe that Confucius possesses the appearance of a sage, with eyes like a river and a forehead like a dragon, resembling the form of the Yellow Emperor. His arms are long and his back is like a turtle's shell, standing nine feet six inches tall, akin to the stature of Tang of Shang. He speaks of the ancient kings, practices humility, is knowledgeable and retentive, with an inexhaustible understanding of all things. Is this not the rise of a sage?"
Xunzi, a Warring States philosopher: "A great Confucian, though hidden in a humble dwelling with no land to call his own, cannot be rivaled in reputation by kings and lords. With a territory of a hundred li, no state of a thousand li can compete with him. He chastises tyrannical states, unifies the world, and none can overthrow him... Heaven cannot kill him, earth cannot bury him, and the age of Jie or Robber Zhi cannot taint him. Such is the stature of a great Confucian—Confucius and Zi Gong are such men." (Xunzi · The Teachings of the Ru)
Sima Qian, Han Dynasty historian and writer: "The Book of Songs says: 'High as a mountain, to be looked up to; bright as a road, to be followed.' Though I cannot reach it, my heart yearns for it. Reading Confucius's works, I imagine his character. Visiting Lu, I saw the carriages, robes, and ritual vessels in his temple, and the students practicing rites there at the proper times. I lingered, unable to leave. Many kings and sages have lived, honored in their time but forgotten after death. Confucius, a commoner, has been revered for over ten generations. From emperors to nobles, all in China who speak of the Six Arts turn to the Master as their standard. Truly, he is the supreme sage!" (Records of the Grand Historian)
Han Ying, founder of the Han School of Poetry: "Confucius embraced the heart of a sage, wandering in the realm of virtue, roaming freely in the formless land. He leaned on heavenly principles, observed human nature, understood beginnings and ends, and knew gains and losses, thus promoting benevolence and righteousness..." (Han Shi Wai Zhuan)
Wang Chong, Han Dynasty thinker and literary theorist: "Confucius is the ancestor of morality, the most outstanding among all philosophers." (Lunheng · Chapter on Human Nature)
Mi Heng, Han Dynasty writer: "He received the utmost essence, pure and wise." (Yi Wen Lei Ju, Vol. 20 · Post-Han Mi Heng, The Stele of Master Lu)
Emperor Wen of Wei, Cao Pi: "In the past, Confucius, endowed with the talent of a great sage and the bearing of an emperor, faced the decline of the Zhou dynasty without the fortune of receiving the Mandate of Heaven. In the courts of Lu and Wei, he taught along the banks of the Zhu and Si rivers, sorrowful and anxious, willing to humble himself to preserve the Way and lower his status to save the world. Yet the kings and lords of his time never employed him. So he retired to study the rituals of five dynasties, undertook the work of an uncrowned king, composed the Spring and Annals based on the history of Lu, and corrected the Ya and Songs with the Grand Musician. A thousand years later, none could fail to revere his writings for their composition or look up to his sagacity for guidance. Alas! Truly, he was a great sage for the ages, a teacher for all time."
Sima Yan: "During the times of Yu and Xia, sages arose one after another, yet their methods differed. When the Zhou Way declined, Confucius still advocated following Zhou. How different is the appropriateness of adaptation and reform?"
Lu Ji, Jin Dynasty writer: "Confucius, the wise sage, matched with the grand Way, fanned the profound currents, and explored divine treasures. His thoughts turned to Zhou, his words planned for the future. His soul had its path, his words observed the heavens. His clear songs gave early warnings; his red writings were profound." (Collected Works of Lu Ji, Vol. 9 · In Praise of Confucius)
Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin: "What I admire now are only the ways of Yao and Shun and the teachings of the Duke of Zhou and Confucius. To me, they are like wings to a bird or water to a fish. To lose them is to die; they cannot be absent even for a moment." (Zhenguan Governance Essentials)
Yang Jiong, Tang Dynasty poet: "No symbol is greater than heaven and earth; no transformation greater than the four seasons. No hanging image is brighter than the sun and moon; no preparation of things for practical use is greater than the sage." (Collected Works of Yang Jiong, Vol. 4)
Emperor Zhenzong of Song, Zhao Heng: "Establishing words that never perish, teaching that knows no bounds, his illustrious virtue shines brightly. Great indeed is the uncrowned king, the model of human relations and the guiding principle of imperial rule." (Kuli Wenxian Kao, Vol. 38)
Cheng Hao, Song Dynasty philosopher: "Confucius is like the sun and moon in brightness." (Collected Works of the Two Chengs · Henan Cheng's Posthumous Writings, Vol. 1)
Zhu Xi, Song Dynasty Neo-Confucian scholar: "Had Heaven not given birth to Confucius, eternity would have remained in darkness." (Classified Conversations of Master Zhu, Vol. 93)
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