Post on 11-Jan-2016
Confucius The PhilosopherBY FREDERICK FANG
The Not So Secret Life of Confucius
• He was born on September 28th, 551 BC to a military officer.
• His dad was of old age and his mom was only in her teenage years.
• He lived in major poverty during his younger years.
• He studied with a Lao Tzu, a famous teacher. He spent an abundance of hours learning ancient rituals, music, history, and poetry.
The Not So Secret Life of Confucius.. PART 2
• Confucius began to gather disciples and had as many as 3000!
• Around the age of 51, Confucius began his political career.
• Shortly after, Confucius left his position as Minister and dedicated the rest of his life to teaching.
• He died in 479 BC at the age of 72.
• After his death, his disciples wrote a book after him: The Analects of Confucius.
The Analects of ConfuciusCool huh? Even though I can’t read it.
Political Career
• At the age of 51, Confucius began his political career in the state of Lu.
• He held the position of Minister of Public Works and then the Minister of Justice.
• He eventually became the Prime Minister of Lu!
• However, he learned that the Prince of Lu was taking a leave of absence from the government.
• Why he left? The neighboring state gave the prince 100 horses and 80 dancing girls.
• Confucius was deeply sadden by the irresponsibility of the Prince and left his post as Minister.
Beliefs and Principles
• Confucius’s beliefs and principles have carried on throughout Chinese history.
• He believed three things:
1. Strong Family Loyalty
2. Respect of elders, children, family members, and yourself.
3. Ancestor Worship
• Confucius even created the first “Golden Rule”. “Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself”.
Wisdom• Confucius believed that
wisdom was gained in three ways:
1. Reflection: Looking at yourself, examining your actions, and looking to make better decisions.
2. Imitation: Do as other wise people do.
3. Experience: Live through events and learn from mistakes.
• Confucius also believed that a wise person could be anyone, whether poor or rich.
• For example: he was not ashamed to ask poor people for help.
Teachings• The teachings of Confucius
stress the importance of the following items:
1. Education
2. Respect for everyone
3. Appropriate behavior
4. Moral development by the Individual.
5. The government helping citizens rather than making strict laws that hinder well-being.
Confucius and his disciples
5 Virtues Philosophy• Confucius taught all of his disciples
5 virtues.
• Following these virtues would allow one to achieve “moral perfection” and live a healthy life in a state of harmony.
1. Ren: Humanity (Love of People)
2. Yi: Honesty and being good.
3. Zhi: Knowledge. The ability to see right and wrong.
4. Xin: Integrity and faithfulness
5. Li: How a person should act in everyday life. Examples: correct behavior, politeness, and good manners.
Confucianism
• Confucianism is a philosophical system built by the teachings of Confucius.
• It was a popular religion in ancient China along with Buddhism and Daoism.
• It states to treasure things in everyday life, especially family.
• If you believe in Confucianism, you believe that humans are teachable, improvable, and perfectible.
• This is by education and trying hard to achieve a goal.
The Analects of Confucius
• It was made after Confucius had died by his followers and disciples.
• The Analects of Confucius contains ideas and sayings that Confucius taught and believed.
• In the book also contains information on virtues, government, philosophies, and ideas on Confucianism.
• It remains one of the most read and studied Chinese books.
• Ideas in the book still have a strong impact in Chinese culture today.
Favorite Quotes of Confucius
• “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated”.
• “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence”.
• “It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get”.
• “The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell”.
• “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop”.
• “Wherever you go, go with all your heart”.
• “Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change”.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/religion/confucianism/
http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/confucius-84.php
http://confuciusinstitute.com.au/2011/07/confucius-personal-life/
http://www.notablebiographies.com/Co-Da/Confucius.html
http://www.egs.edu/library/confucius/biography/
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