The 5 Eastern philosophers everyone should know about — 3

Ashutosh Jain
Jul 21, 2017 · 2 min read
Tufts University | School of Arts and Sciences

Confucius was a Chinese teacher and politician of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history ( 551BCE — 479BCE ). He is considered to be China's most famous teacher, philosopher, and political theorist, whose ideas have influenced the civilization of East Asia including Korea, Japan and Vietnam.
His mastery of the six arts — ritual, music, archery, horse riding, calligraphy, and arithmetic — and his familiarity with the classical traditions, notably poetry and history, enabled him to start a brilliant teaching career.
His philosophical teachings are usually expressed in short phrases which are open to various interpretations.
Chief among his philosophical ideas is the importance of a virtuous life and filial piety. He also emphasized the importance of inner moral harmony and its direct connection with the wider physical world.
Confucianism expounded the importance of four virtues: benevolence (zen), righteousness (i), observance of rites (li) and moral wisdom (te). A fifth was later added — faith — which neatly corresponded to the five elements (in Chinese thought) of earth, wood, fire, metal and water.
The thoughts of Confucius were further developed and codified by two important philosophers, Mencius (or Mengzi) and Xunzi (or Hsun Tzu). Confucianism became the official state religion of China from the 2nd century BCE.

Famous quotes by Confucius…

Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.

It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

I want you to be everything that’s you, deep at the center of your being.

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

When anger rises, think of the consequences.

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.

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In quest of the Self!✍

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