CONFUCIUS [Kung Fu Tzu] (551-479 B.C.):
little is known about his background except
that he was orphaned and grew up in poverty. He came to believe that he had a mission to
bring peace and GOOD government to China but during his life he gained little success and
died in obscurity. He is distinguished by his ethical rather than his religious teachings
the main idea of which is the TAO, or Way of Heaven, should be followed by all men. He
placed great emphasis on loyalty and the cultivation of humanity and taught that inner
goodness finds expression in outward behavior. Following his death, his views became the
basis of the Chinese understanding of the family, social and political life. His ideas are
found in The Analects of Confucius compiled by his followers.
