Taiwan Today

Confucius has had more influence on Chinese thought and culture than any other figure in China’s 5,000 year history. For the Chinese, his life teachings provide examples of the highest good attainable by man.

Born in 551 B. C, Confucius had a rather prosaic early life. Only in his later years and after his death in 479 B. C. did he receive the respect and adulation he deserved. On these eight pages are 19 ancient stone rubbings that constitute a pictorial biography of his life. The frontispiece (top) notes the engravings tell the story of Confucius' wanderings.

In the feudal state of Lu (now part of Shantung province) during the Spring and Autumn period (722-481 B. C), Shu-liang Ho married a daughter of the Yen family. Because Shu-liang was aged, his young wife worried about bearing an heir.

One legend is that she prayed to the gods by a hillside (bottom) for the birth of a son. The gods heard and she bore Confucius. Because his forehead rose nobly like a hillside, she named him chiu (hill). The Chinese later were to call him Kungfutzu, Kung being his surname and futzu meaning master. From Kungfutzu comes the anglicized Confucius.

His father died when Confucius was three years old, leaving his mother in straitened circumstances. Probably his poverty-stricken youth gave him a love for plain living that he later expressed in these words: "Having only coarse food to eat, plain water to drink and a bent arm for a pillow, one can still find happiness therein." Brighter than most children of his age, Confucius showed an early interest in ritual and ceremony. He liked to lead the neighborhood children in playing at the ceremonies of olden and contemporary times (top). In later life, he was to make a comparative study out of ritual. He was partial to that associated with the ruler of the Chou dynasty (1122-256 B.C.) Confucius admired the Duke of Chou for working out a system of ritual and music to be used as the basis of society.

By the time Confucius was 20, he had embarked on a career that was ordinary and undramatic considering his later achievements. He had married and his wife was expecting their first child. His first job was in a granary (bottom). Even in the humble position of accountant, he was renowned for his equity.

Throughout early manhood, Confucius continued his study of ritual. In his 28th year, he heard of a famed musician in the neighboring state of Tsin. Confucius believed music to be an integral part of the ritual required to give man a sense of proportion. He therefore journeyed to Tsin to study under this master (top). He showed such rapid progress that his music teacher soon acknowledged Confucius' great skill.

The next year, Confucius and one of his disciples went to Chou state to visit Laotze, founder of Taoism or the Way of Life (bottom). Laotze was then head of the state library and official historian. Laotze, speaking from the wisdom of his great age, reprimanded the younger man for his pride and ambition. Because he realized the truth behind Laotze's words, Confucius visited him often afterward.

In time, Confucius lost his pride. When people acclaimed him as being a great sage, he said, "As to being a sage and a true man, I am not so presumptuous." On another occasion, he said, "Do you think I know a great deal? I don't. There was an uneducated man who asked me about some thing and I couldn't say a word in reply."

At the age of 35, Confucius prepared to leave his home state of Lu (top) and seek the ideal ruler under whom he could put his precepts of government by example into practice.

Duke Ching of Chi asked how he should rule his people. Confucius answered: "The king should be like a king, the ministers like ministers, father like fathers, sons likes sons.” He wanted aorder of things, plus responsibility.

Discontented because he was given no power, Confucius returned to Lu (bottom), where he devoted himself to teaching (center).

Soon after his return to Lu, the fortunes of Confucius took a turn for the better. Chi Sun, the prime minister of Lu, recognized Confucius' usefulness and appointed him szu kou, comparable to a grand secretary of justice in the ceremonious ranks of the time.

Confucius held powers of imprisonment and execution He was one of the highest ranking officials of the state and won fame for fairness and justice. He saw to it that ruffians were punished and was kept busy receiving complaints and petitioners (engravings at the bottom).

His political star waned again and Confucius was deeply discouraged at the lock of public morals. He left Lu and wondered from state to state for the next 14 years, seeking a place to try his theories of government. Confucius was often beset by dangers. In the state of Sung, he learned of a plot to assassinate him. He left Sung hurriedly in disguise. The would-be assassin was so angry that he uprooted the tree under which Confucius had taught (top).

On another occasion, Confucius was separated from his disciples and traveled alone (bottom). Reunited with his disciple Yen Hui, Confucius said, "I thought you had been killed." Yen Hui answered, "How dare I be killed as long as you are still alive." Confucius himself was never much concerned about the attacks on him. When his disciples expressed their fear, Confucius merely said, "Heaven has endowed me with a mission. What can Huan Tuei (the would-be assassin) do to me?"

Confucius often was urged to give up his search for the ideal ruler and state. Once he met two recluses, who tried to persuade him to leave the world of men for that of nature (top). Confucius answered, "Birds and beasts are not right company for us. If there were moral order in the world today, why should I bother to change it? If I do not get along with people, who will be able to get along with?"

But he did become steadily mare discouraged. On his way to Tsin to visit Chao Chien Tzu, Confucius heard that Chao had killed the two ministers who had helped him to power. Hearing of this along the banks of the Yellow River, he sighed and mourned the fact that man could be so inhumane (center).

Confucius did not go to Tsin. Confucius later returned to his home state. He gave up his political ambitions and returned to a life of teaching (bottom).

When Confucius was 73 years old, he dreamed that his own image appeared above on altar. A coffin stood before the altar and many people were paying obeisance to the image. Confucius knew that the dream was a forewarning of his death.

The next day, Confucius walked outdoors (top). He song to himself:

      " The great mountain must crumble. 
        The strong beam must break. 
        The wise man must wither away like a plant."

Seven days later, the great sage died. After Confucius had been buried with great ceremony outside the city of Chu-fu, his disciples built huts around his grove mound (bottom). They lived in the huts for three years, the prescribed length of time for sons to mourn their father. One disciple stayed for five years.

Confucius remains very much alive in Chinese life and thought. His birthday on September 28 is observed both formally and in Chinese hearts everywhere.