Biography of Confucius

Confucius was born in 551 BCE during the Spring and Autumn Period at Qufu (now Shandong) was a Chinese thinker and a social philosopher. Records of the Grand Historian (written 400 years after) state that Confucius was born out of wedlock by a man of seventy and a woman of only fifteen years of age. And that at the age of three, Confucius' father passed away which led him to live with his mother in poverty.

As a child, Confucius served as a minor administrative manager for the State of Lu and rose quickly to the position of Justice Minister. As a teenager, he disapproved deepy of the Prince's politics and saw no way to improve the government. He then left on a twelve year journey through China to seek the truth and pursued other rulers throughout the country on his political beliefs. He failed.

At 60 years of age, Confucius returned home and spent his last years spreading his thoughts and wisdoms to his ever increasing number of disciples. His words were transmitted through a set of books called Five Classics.

Confucius' teachings of personal and governmental morality and correctness of justice, sincerity, and relationships gained prominence in China during the Han Dynasty. His teachings have have developed into a system of philosophy known as Confucianism.

Today, several of Confucius' principles have become part of Chinese tradition and belief, including familial loyalty, respect for elders, and ancestor worship.

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