Confucius

Confucius 孔子
A portrait of Confucius by the Tang dynasty artist Wu Daozi (680–740)
Born	28 September 551 BC Zou, Lu state (now , Qufu, Shandong, China)
Died	479 BC (aged 71–72) Lu state
Nationality	Lu state, Zhou China
Era	Ancient philosophy
Region	Chinese philosophy
School	Founder of Confucianism
Main interests	Moral philosophy, social philosophy, ethics
Notable ideas	Confucianism
Influences I Ching, Book of Rites
Influenced Many Chinese philosophers, particularly Mencius, Xun Zi, the Neotaoists and the Neoconfucians; François Quesnay; Christian Wolff; Robert Cummings Neville; Ezra Pound

Confucius
"Confucius (Kǒngzǐ)" in seal script (top) and regular (bottom) Chinese characters
Chinese	孔子
Literal meaning	"Master Kong"
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Kǒngzǐ Gwoyeu Romatzyh Koongtzyy Wade–Giles K'ung3-tzu3 IPA [kʰʊ̀ŋ.tsɨ̀] Wu Suzhounese Khòn-tzỳ Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Húng-jí Jyutping Hung2-zi2 Southern Min Hokkien POJ Khóng-chú Tâi-lô Khóng-tsú Middle Chinese Middle Chinese khúwng tsí Old Chinese Baxter-Sagart *kʰˤongʔ tsəʔ
Alternative Chinese name
Chinese	孔丘
Literal meaning	(given name)
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Kǒng Qiū Gwoyeu Romatzyh Koong Chiou Wade–Giles K'ung3 Ch'iu1 IPA [kʰʊ̀ŋ tɕʰi̯óu̯] Wu Romanization Khon Chieu Hakka Romanization Kung3 Hiu1 Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Hung2 Yau1 Jyutping Hung2 Jau1 Southern Min Hokkien POJ Khóng Khiu Middle Chinese Middle Chinese Khúwng Khjuw Old Chinese Baxter-Sagart *Kʰˤongʔ Kʷʰə

Confucius (/kənˈfjuːʃəs/; September 28, 551 BC – 479 BC) was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history.

The philosophy of Confucius emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. His followers competed successfully with many other schools during the Hundred Schools of Thought era only to be suppressed in favor of the Legalists during the Qin Dynasty. Following the victory of Han over Chu after the collapse of Qin, Confucius' thoughts received official sanction and were further developed into a system known in the West as Confucianism.

Confucius is traditionally credited with having authored or edited many of the Chinese classic texts including all of the Five Classics, but modern scholars are cautious of attributing specific assertions to Confucius himself. Aphorisms concerning his teachings were compiled in the Analects, but only many years after his death.

Confucius's principles had a basis in common Chinese tradition and belief. He championed strong family loyalty, ancestor veneration, and respect of elders by their children and of husbands by their wives. He also recommended family as a basis for ideal government. He espoused the well-known principle "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself", the Golden Rule.