Kong+Qui

“ Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall” - Confucius (BrainyQuotes). This quote is from one of the two greatest ethical thinkers in the east (Bi). His teachings were unique because he did not write down his lessons paper but only taught through conversation (Lannom). Confucius also raised a student to continue his teachings (Haines). He did not only teach one student of many of thousands of pupils (Bledsoe). His determination in learning led him to find a ruler that would follow his ideals (Lannom). Not only was he widely respected in China but he also played a major part in China’s government.


 * Personal Background**

Confucius was born from a rich and noble family. He was born in the state of Lu in 551 B.C. He worked raising livestock. Also, he was a record-keeper, and other low-level jobs. He lost his father at the age of 13. During Confucius’ 19th year he was married, had a son, and divorced with his wife. He was now a single father. Sadly, his mother died at age 23.

When Confucius was 15 he was able to serve in minor government posts. Around the ages of 30 and 40 he started his career as a teacher. He was followed by an increasing amount of followers soon after his new life. In his late 40's and 50's he became a minister in his home state of Lu. Confucius tried applying his ideas to the government but could not due to the Warring state they were currently in. He roamed many states to find a ruler to follow his ideas.

At age 32 he started teaching ancient rituals to a minister’s son. The unique thing about Confucius’ teachings was that he did not write down his lessons. Instead, he taught through conversation. Soon, he opened a school for young men not children. The point to this was to train them to apply to government source.The teacher taught more than 3,000 pupils but never more than 25 at one time. As soon as he came into his late 50's he got his first major job in the government.


 * Personality Traits**

In Confucius’ years of living he was not qu ite the handsome man. He had both a big head, and a big nose. Although, he was a healthy strong an d tall man his looks could not keep up. Rumors said for him to reach the height of over six feet tall (Lannom). The philosopher’s love for learning made him determined to grab a chair at the government office (Bi). Confucius was an open-minded humanist. He cared for his people around him which is why he opened a school for young men (Olesen). Confucius was very well respected in both his city and his family. The reason behind this was because he was so nicely mannered. He also treated everyone with equality and enhanced family relations (Haines). His kindness led him to many great things in his life. Although he had many gracious friends, but also had inferior friends.

He married at an early stage of his life, 19 (Olesen). Although, the philosopher had many children, his wife did not bear him a son until later into their marriage. Even so, he soon became a single father after the birth of his son. Confucius becoming a single father did not stop his love for teaching and traveling. He continued his traveling and persuading people throughout China to follow his teachings (Bledsoe). His words were ever so persuasive. Most of the cities and states he traveled to he gained many followers with his way of words. The wise man soon carried the title of being the “Wisest Man in China” (Chiang).


 * Obstacles**

A time when blood covered the very grounds of China, Confucius was born. Not only was China in decline but also in a war. Confucius lived during the time of the Warring States and when political, social, and moral chaos was happening (Bi). His dad never settled into his memory because he died once Confucius was at the age of three. This situation forced his mother to raise him on her own in such a chaotic place and time (Olesen).

Twenty years from Confucius’ father’s passing, his mother also joined her husband into the afterlife. After he found a wife they departed after she gave birth to his son. Just like his mother he was forced to raise a son as a single parent. Confucius’ son died at an early age a little after the birth of his son. The relationship of his grandson’s marriage did not end very happily but in divorce (Haines).

The lonesome father traveled many states after the many deaths he witnessed in the past. Confucius left his home state of Lu to become a teacher and philosopher. This was difficult because he himself did not have any personal copies of books that he has read. Surprisingly, many followed in his footsteps and became loyal to his teachings. The new philosopher did not write down his teachings, but taught through conversation.


 * Historical Significance**

A couple of thousands of years ago there was a Chinese philosopher named Kong Qui. His named translated in Latin was called Confucius, w hich is the name he became famous for. Throughout his childhood he successfully achieved a grand future even though he was given birth during the Warring States. Around the age of 20, Confucius finally got the male baby he seeked for. Although there was no evidence in Confucius’ love life, he and his wife divorced after the birth of his child (Bi).

When his boy was grown and married Confucius wandered the cities all over China. The Chinese philosopher traveled for a whopping 14 total years. All this traveling wasn’t for nothing though, he was searching for a ruler or king that would follow his ideals. Surprisingly, Confucius taught a minister's son without any notes or paper. The wanderer taught only through conversation and his pupils copied down what he said on paper (Lannom).

Confucius didn’t only teach a couple hundred students in his lifetime, but approximately 3,000 total pupils. All by which were taught through conversation and according to evidence never by pencil and paper. After a couple of his pupils were given a government chair Confucius suggested a System of Examinations. These System of Examinations was a test and whoever that passed these tests would qualify for government services (Bledsoe). The System of Examinations became a great success in China. The sage was greatly respected all over China after these ideas for the government. Also, he became a key part in government doctrine, which Confucius craved a role in the government all his life and finally got it. Soon after he began creating schools to teach young men how to respect others and life itself. These schools wasn’t only for respect, but mainly to gain a seat in the government (Chiang).

In his schools the children that attended recited his teachings, carrying on his legacy through many other generations. These teachings written from children of Confucius’ time is still used and taught all around China. Confucius did not only gain the title of moral sage, philosopher, or teacher, but one of the greatest ethical thinkers in China (Olesen).


 * References**

Bi, Leilei, Ehrich, John; Ehrich, Lisa C."Confucius as Transformational Leader: Lessons for ESL Leadership." //The International Journal of Educational Management// 26.4 (2012): 391-402. //ProQuest//. Web. 15 Jan. 2015. ** SE#5 **

Bledsoe, Wieman, Helen. "A Master Teacher." . //Calliope// 01 Feb. 2012: 5. //eLibrary//. Web. 14 Jan. 2015. **SE#5**

Chiang, Mona."Confucius SAID.." //Junior Scholastic// 19 Jan. 2004: 20,21,T4. //ProQuest//. Web. 9 Jan. 2015. **SE#6**

Haines, A, William.."The Purloined Philosopher: Youzi on Learning by Virtue." //Philosopher East and West// 4(2008):470. //eLibrary//. Web. 07 Nov. 2014. **SE#4**

Lannom, W., Gloria."DISCOVERING CONFUCIUS." //Callipe//. 01 Feb. 2012. //eLibrary//. Web. 16 Oct. 2014. **SE#3**

Olesen, Alexia., Gazette, The.."Confucius." //Montreal Gazette//. Aug. 2014: A14. //eLibrary//. Web. 15 Dec. 2014. **SE#2**