Confucius said ... He has been called the wisest man in China. But who was Confucius, and what did he really say?

Have you ever heard someone begin a sentence with the words: "As Confucius said"? For more than 2,000 years, the sayings of the ancient Chinese teacher Confucius (kuhn-FYOO-shuhs) have been quoted in every language. Confucius himself has been called one of the wisest men who ever lived. But who he was and what he actually said are something of a mystery.

"There is a lot of myth and legend surrounding Confucius," says Jonathan Lipman, a professor of history at Mount Holyoke College. "We actually have very little information about his life and times."

What is known about Confucius comes mostly from his students. Confucius taught through informal conversation, leaving no written lessons. But he attracted many disciples (followers) who collected his teachings and wrote them down. These teachings, which stress the need to develop character, healthy social relationships, and a sense of responsibility, became the core of the philosophy known as Confucianism.

The most important text of Confucianism is The Analects. It was not written by Confucius, but contains many sayings collected by his earliest students. On young people, for example, "The Master said, 'A youth, when at home, should be filial (an obedient child), and abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all, and cultivate the friendship of the good.'"

Wise Beginnings

Confucius, or Kong Fuzi in Chinese, is believed to have lived from 551 to 479 B.C. He was born into a noble family in northeastern China. After his parents died, the young Confucius became a teacher.

During this time, China was in a state of chaos. The Zhou dynasty (ruling family) had little control over the vast country. Instead, rival lords competed for power and land, and waged war on each other.

The bloodshed prompted many teachers and philosophers to devise ways to bring peace to China. They wandered from city to city, hoping to spread their ideas for reform. Confucius was one of these traveling teachers.

"He tried to offer his ideas to the lords, but none of them were interested," says Lipman. "He never succeeded in becoming an official at court or a confidant to important people."

Master Teachings

Disappointed, Confucius returned home to open a school. Through his teachings, he sought to better society by encouraging proper conduct between human beings.

The core of Confucianism is the idea of benevolence, or kindness. According to Confucius, one becomes benevolent by following a set of guidelines (rules) of acceptable behavior.

Through the practice of these rituals (repetitive acts), one can learn to become a better person and lead a good life.

Confucius believed the world would be harmonious if individuals were kind and respectful in five basic relationships: father and son, husband and wife, elder brother and younger brother, elder friend and younger friend, and emperor and subject.

"According to Confucian theory, if an individual were good and virtuous, then his or her family would be, too," explains Lipman. And if families were good and virtuous, it would follow that all of society would be harmonious.

Confucius approved of the rule of kings and emperors, but he argued that the best leader was one who guided his people with kindness and morality, not force. One of his rules said: "If you govern your province well and treat your people kindly, your kingdom shall not lose any war."

Widespread Influence

By the time of the Han Dynasty (202 B.C. to 220 A.D.), Confucian philosophy had become a key part of official government doctrine. Over the next thousand years, it gradually became the most important tool for advancement for young men wishing to become government officials. They had to pass a highly competitive exam based on the Confucian texts.

Confucianism eventually became the foundation of the modern Chinese education system. For centuries, Chinese students memorized the master's words and recited his stories. Many still do.

Although the ancient government exams were abolished in 1905, Chinese culture remains steeped in Confucianism.

Word to Know

* Confucianism: A philosophy based on the ideas of Confucius, who believed that good social and family relationships would lead to a moral and just society.

SAYINGS OF CONFUCIUS

* A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

* To study something and practice it at appropriate times, is that not a great joy?.

* Study the past if you would define the future.

* To see what is right and not do it is a lack of courage or principle.

Your Turn

WORD MATCH

1. disciples     A. rules
2. dynasty       B. ruling family
3. benevolence   C. repetitive acts
4. guidelines    D. kindness
5. rituals       E. followers

THINK ABOUT IT

Write a paragraph applying one of Confucius's sayings to an incident in your own life.

LESSON PLANS

OBJECTIVES

Students should understand

* Confucius was the most influential and respected philosopher in Chinese history.

TEACHING STRATEGY

Without revealing the philosopher's identity, read aloud the following saying of Confucius; "To know is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge." Encourage students to offer their interpretation of this famous adage, one that emphasizes humility and the pursuit of education.

BACKGROUND

Confucianism is not a religion. It does not teach about God, heaven, or the afterlife. Rather, it is a philosophy that aims to teach how to live responsibly, ethically, and wisely. China's ruling Communist Party suppressed Confucianism because it encouraged independent thought and urged people to look to the past for inspiration rather than to Communism. Official opposition ended in 1977.

THINKING SKILLS

CAUSE AND EFFECT: Why did Confucius and other teachers begin to spread their teachings during the Zhou Dynasty? (Civil war among rival warlords led to widespread violence and bloodshed. Confucius and other teachers spread their teachings to cities and towns in an effort to bring peace to China.)

MAKING INFERENCES: What is the meaning of Confucius's saying, "Success has many fathers, failure is an orphan"? (Students might answer that success requires the combined efforts of many, while failure is the result of an individual's limitations. Another interpretation might be that if several people compete for a prize all will share in a successful outcome. Other interpretations are possible.)

ACTIVITY

CONFUCIUS AND YOU: Ask students to research one saying of Confucius and write a report describing how the adage applies to his or her personal life.

STANDARDS

SOCIAL STUDIES, GRADES 5--8

* Global connections: How Confucius and his followers spread philosophical teachings throughout China and the world beginning in 551 B.C.

* Culture: How Confucianism influenced Chinese culture and became a foundation of the nation's education system.

RESOURCES

PRINT

* Lau, D.C. trans., Confucius: The Analects (Penguin USA, 1998). Grades 7-8. w Hoobler, Thomas, Confucianism (Facts on File, 1993). Grades 6-8.

WEB SITES

* Confucius www.cifnet.com/~geenius/kongfuzi/index.html

* Ancient China http://members.aol.com/Donnclass/Chinalife.html

ANSWER

1. E

2. B

3. D

4. A

5. C