Confucius

Confucius (孔夫子 Kung-fu-tze or Kong-fu-zi are the more correct, but less common, Romanizations) (traditionally 551-479 B.C.) is probably the best-known of ancient Chinese philosophers.

Fu-zi simply means teacher. Since it was disrespectful to call the teacher by name according to Chinese culture, he is known as just "Master Kong" or Confucius even in modern days. His actual name was [Kong3][Qiu1] (孔丘). His alias was [Zhong4][Ni2] (仲尼 sounds like Johnny :-).

His philosophy could be summed up as follows: love others, honor your father and mother, to do what is right (Yi) instead of what is to your advantage (Li), rule by moral example and passivity not force, and do unto others as you would have them do unto you ([The Golden Rule]?).

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