Confucius, one of the greatest thinkers in Chinese history, is known as a symbol of oriental wisdom. His philosophical ideas have had a profound impact on Chinese civilization and the cultural circle of East Asia, and can be said to be a historical figure whose influence has lasted for thousands of years. The core of Confucius's teachings and philosophy is embodied in the Analects, which focuses not only on the moral cultivation of individuals, but also on politics, education, society, and other aspects.
Confucius lived in the Spring and Autumn Period, a time of war and social hierarchy. Despite this social environment, Confucius made unremitting efforts to promote his ideas, advocating the importance of "benevolence" and "propriety", advocating the rule of virtue, and striving to revive the ideal society of harmony and order. Confucius believed that each individual should improve his or her moral level through study and introspection and become a "gentleman".
For Confucius, the term "gentleman" refers not only to a person of noble height, but also to a person with noble character in his heart. In Confucius's view, learning is the only way to become a "gentleman". The learning is not limited to book knowledge, but also includes the study of traditional culture such as **, poetry, etiquette, etc., which are considered to be able to edify sentiment and be fully revealed in its personality charm.
Confucius's philosophy also put forward the "golden mean", which advocates that we should find a balance when dealing with everything and avoid any form of extreme behavior. Through a steady and introspective life, the moral cultivation of the individual is realized, and finally a harmonious and stable social order is achieved.
On the principle of foreign exchanges, Confucius emphasized that "do not do unto others as you would have them do unto you", which is an early form of expression of what is called the "** law" today, and has important value in international relations and daily life. Confucius believed that only when people began to respect others, as they respected themselves, could society become more harmonious and tidy.
Confucius's political outlook was also very advanced, and he emphasized that national leaders should lead by example and win the support and loyalty of the people through virtue and good governance, rather than relying solely on laws and punishments. He advocated that leaders should have benevolence, attract talents with "virtue", standardize society with "courtesy", and win people's hearts with "trust".
Confucius's educational philosophy was equally groundbreaking. He advocated that education should be oriented to all strata, advocating "education without class", paying equal attention to teaching by word and example, and valuing personal cultivation and moral development. Under his leadership, private schools arose, which laid the foundation for the imperial examination system and equal access to education for citizens in later generations.
Confucius's influence was not confined to his time, and over time, his ideas gradually formed the cornerstone of Confucian philosophy, and had a profound impact on the education system, social norms, values, and lifestyles of China and East Asia. From the Song Dynasty's Cheng Zhu Lixue, the Ming and Qing dynasties' examination system, to the emphasis on moral education and civic responsibility in modern countries, it can be said that Confucius's influence runs through all aspects of Eastern society.
To sum up, Confucius was not only a great thinker, educator, and statesman in ancient China, but also a historical figure who made important contributions to human civilization. His philosophical ideas have inspired countless scholars to follow and study, and also inspired future generations to build a more just, equal and harmonious society. In today's world, when we are facing various challenges and changes, the wisdom of Confucius still guides us in the direction of progress and continues to enlighten our hearts.