Confucius is a name popularly knows by the Chinese. Kung Fu-tzu or Kung the Master is knows as The First Teacher. Born in 551 B.C he was raised by his mother and did well in school. In his younger years he was a tutor. He had a good reputation and did well at what he did. He had high hopes of being a political leader, but that opportunity never came which was very discouraging for him. He then continued teaching and editing the classics of China’s past. He died in 479 B.C. as one of the world’s greatest teachers.
In Confucianism, the self is the center of every relationship. A confucian positions himself in the never-ending cross currants of human relationships. Without the relationship, there is no self. This is the Confucian Project: to conform one’s self, or “wings” at the angle that allows relationships carry to greater heights. Confucius calls this the goal of becoming more completely human.
Confucius summed up his thoughts in five structured ideals: 1) Jen which means love, goodness, benevolence or human-heartedness. 2) Chun Tzu or Superior Person and Humanity-at-its-Best. This person is a person of self-respect and thinks only of others rather than himself. 3) Li or the way things should be done, meaning everything having propriety. 4) Te meaning power. 5) Wen which means the arts of peace contrary to the arts of war.
It is very interesting to me that thought Confucius lived so many years ago, we can still see his influence or rather, relate his influence today. For example, the way relationships are the center of every soul. Without relationships what do we have? Nothing important and long-lasting, in my opinion. Confucius was a man of education, who appreciated art and who cared deeply about the people around him so much so that he was a striving politician. If people tried harder every day to care a little more like Confucius did, this world would be a better place.
