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One of the most famous people in ancient China was a well-known philosopher named Confucius (circa 551- 479 B.C.). He sometimes went by the name Kong Zi, though he was born Kong Qiu - styled Zhong Ni. He was born in the village of Zou in the country of Lu, a poor descendant of a deposed noble family.
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As a child, he held make-believe temple rituals. As a young adult, he quickly earned a reputation for fairness, politeness and love of learning. Confucius was reputed to be rather tall.
He traveled extensively and studied at the imperial capital, Zhou, where he is said to have met and spoken with Lao Zi, the founder of Daoism.
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Upon his return to Lu, he gained renown as a teacher. When he was 35, Duke Zhao of Lu led his country to war, was routed and fled to the neighboring country of Qi. In the disorder following the battle, Duke Zhao frequently came to Confucius for advice. When a counsel of Duke Zhao's ministers decided against granting land to Confucius, Duke Zhao began to avoid seeking this counsel. When other nobles began plotting against Confucius' position, Duke Zhao refused to intervene, and Confucius returned to Lu. But conditions there were no better than before, and Confucius retired from public life to concentrate on teaching and studying.
At the age of 50, he was approached by the Baron of Qi, who asked for Confucius' help against a rebellion. Confucius declined. He was later made a city magistrate by the new
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Duke of Lu, and under his administration the city flourished. He was promoted several times, eventually becoming Grand Secretary of Justice, and at age 56, Chief Minister of Lu.
Neighboring countries began to worry that Lu would become too powerful, and they sent messengers with gifts and dancers to distract the duke during a sacrifice holiday. When the duke abandoned his duties to receive the messengers, Confucius resigned and left the country.
Confucius spent the next five years wandering China with his disciples, finding that his presence at royal courts was rarely tolerated for long before nobles would begin plotting to drive him out or have him killed. He was arrested once and jailed for five days, and at 62 he was chased, along with his disciples, into the countryside by a band of soldiers sent by jealous nobles, until he was rescued by the sympathetic king of a nearby country. After further wanderings, he eventually returned to Lu at the age of 67. Although he was welcomed there and chose to remain, he was not offered public office again, nor did he seek it. Instead, he spent the rest of his years teaching and writing.
Confucius has created many wise phrases and theories about the law, life, and the government, which helped many people learn about nature, the world and human behavior. He died when he was 72 years old.
His Analects contain a collection of his sayings and dialogues compiled by disciples after his death.
One of his famous savings is "Do not do to others what you do not wish others to do to you."
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Weekly Chinese Words |
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Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Descendant
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Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Ritual
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Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Daoism
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Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Counsel
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Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Disciple
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Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Analects
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Weekly Chinese Phrases |
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Meaning: Noble family
Topic: Class
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Meaning: Gain renown
Topic: Value
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Meaning: Grand Secretary of Justice
Topic: Post
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Meaning: Chief Minister
Topic: Post
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Weekly Chinese Expression |
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Meaning: oneself doesn't wish, don't do to others
Implication: Do not do to others what you do not wish others to do to you.
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