The ethical system of Confucius, the Chinese philosopher and teacher of ethics (551-479 BCE), emphasizing moral order, the humanity and virtue of China's ancient rulers, and gentlemanly
education. Confucius was born Kong Zhong-ni, in the shih (knight)
class in the state of Lu about 551 BCE. Most biographical information derives from the Analects, which are the collected sayings of the Master. Confucius aspired to governmental
office and there is a tradition he was a minister in the
government of Lu for a time. Confucius special goal in life was to restore the culture and tradition of China to the ideal
set forth in the time of the Duke of Zhou. He saw himself as transmitting ancient tradition, not innovating
new ideas. His efforts were not appreciated and he was consistently rebuffed in attempts to gain more important offices he felt were his due. So Confucius turned to
education to achieve his goals setting up a school to train disciples in his ideals. Perhaps because of the trials of his youth, Confucius never turned his back on the common man and no pupil, no matter how
poor was turned away from the school. Though he had a full life teaching in Lu and seeing his students gain high public office, by his 50s Confucius became irritated at the lack of progress in moral reform and disillusioned by the lack of public moral leadership in the ruling
class. He decided to travel to other states and try and educate other rulers and find a way to put his principles into practice.
While he was well received and offered responsible positions in other states, he never found anyone with the moral commitment to restore the Zhou
society. After a decade of wandering, Confucius, now nearly 70, returned to Lu. Outwardly, he felt that he had failed, for no ruler adopted his practices and he had not attained a significant office from which to effect change. Nevertheless, his wanderings as the gathered and trained pupils sowed the seeds of future change, as these disciples would fan out across China to carry his message and transform society. The
heart of Confucian scripture has always been the Five Classics. As they finally took shape in a later era, these included: The Classic of
History (Shujing), recording the
words and actions of the
sage-rulers from the ancient, prehistoric Yao period to the early Zhou period; The Classic of Poetry (Shijing), some
300 poems mostly from early Zhou times exemplifying moral virtue and poetic
beauty; The Classic of Changes (Yinjing), a book of divination with explanations and commentary explaining the patterns of the universe; The Classic of Rites (Lijing) the detailed account of the rituals and ceremonies of the
sage-kings and their meaning and significance, plus philosophical teaching; and The Spring and
Autumn Annals (Chunqiu) recording events in Lu 722-481 BCE with commentaries. Apparently a sixth classic, the Classic of
Music was lost. The Confucianism path of transformation is based on these texts.
