Confucius — Great Chinese Philosopher

Confucius was an important Chinese philosopher who lived in the fifth century B.C. The son of a poor nobleman, Confucius became a scholar of ancient Chinese music and literature. He spent most of his life as a traveling teacher. Much of his teaching focused on what made people happy and what made society run smoothly. He taught about the importance of polite behavior and proper ceremonial forms. Respect for ancestors, parents, and political leaders formed an important part of his philosophy. Many of Confucius' ideas were written down in a collection called the Analects. His teachings have been an important part of an education in China for over 2,000 years, and many generations of Chinese young people have studied his works.