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谁是孔子?

Most people recognize his name and know that he is famous for having said something, but considering the long-lasting impact his teachings have had on the world, very few people know who Confucius really was, what he really said, and why.

Amid the chaos of 6th Century BCE China, where warring states fought endlessly among themselves for supremacy, and rulers were frequently assassinated, sometimes by their own relatives, Confucius exemplified benevolence and integrity, and through his teaching, became one of China's greatest philosophers.

Born to a nobleman but raised in poverty from a very young age following the untimely death of his father, Confucius developed what would become a lifelong sympathy for the suffering of the common people.

Barely supporting his mother and disabled brother as a herder and account keeper at a granary, and with other odd jobs, it was only with the help of a wealthy friend that Confucius was able to study at the Royal Archives, where his world view would be formed.

Though the ancient texts there were regarded by some as irrelevant relics of the past, Confucius was inspired by them.

Through study and reflection, Confucius came to believe that human character is formed in the family and by education in ritual, literature, and history. A person cultivated in this way works to help others, guiding them by moral inspiration rather than brute force.

To put his philosophy into practice, Confucius became an advisor to the ruler of his home state of Lu.

But after another state sent Lu's ruler a troop of dancing girls as a present and the ruler ignored his duties while enjoying the girls in private,

Confucius resigned in disgust.

He then spent the next few years traveling from state to state, trying to find a worthy ruler to serve, while holding fast to his principles.

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