Confucius and his Teachings Who Was Confucius Chinese

Confucius and his Teachings

Who Was Confucius? • Chinese teacher and philosopher • 551 -479 B. C.

Stories With Important Lessons • Woman crying because a tiger killed grandfather, and son. Would not leave home because at least there were no cruel rulers. • Moral: A cruel ruler is fiercer and more feared than a tiger.

The Life of Confucius • Born to a noble but poor family • 1 st professional teacher. Charged students fee. • He only taught eager students.

The Teachings of Confucius • Philosophy – a system of beliefs and values. • Confucianism – an important Chinese philosophy based on a collection of Confucius’ sayings.

Bringing Order to Society • Goal to bring order to society • Teach people to behave properly.

Respecting Others • People should know their place. • 5 Human Relationships: ruler ↔ ruled father ↔ son husband ↔ wife older brother ↔ younger brother friend ↔ friend

Big Idea • “Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself. ” • People in authority must set a good example.

Religion or Philosophy? • Teaching how to behave functioned as religion. • System of beliefs made it a philosophy. • Many practiced Confucianism along with religion. • Confucianism was most popular Chinese philosophy.

Influence of Confucius • C. had a major effect on Chinese government. • C. rejected caste system. • Poor could hold government post if passed a civil service test based on his teachings. • It was difficult for poor to enter government, but not impossible. They had to learn to read. • C. thought he was a failure, but he left a lasting mark!

Famous Sayings

Think of Your Own Confucius Saying. . . • If your eyes wander, your grades will squander.