Who was Confucius?

Confucius, known in Chinese as Kǒng Fūzǐ or Master Kong, was an influential Chinese philosopher, teacher and politician. He was born in 551 BC, during the Zhou dynasty, in the city of Qufu in the state of Lu, now Shandong, under the name Kǒng Qiu. He devoted his life to the pursuit of wisdom and ethics for humanity until his death 72 years later, in 479 BC.

Although he was of noble descent, he grew up in poverty with his mother after the early death of his father. At a young age, he worked in various menial positions, including as a shepherd and storekeeper. However, his thirst for knowledge and passion for learning eventually made him a respected teacher and scholar. At around the age of 30, he began teaching students and founded his own school, where he made education accessible to all social classes. Confucius traveled through various Chinese states, which inspired him in the development of his philosophical views and contributed to their spreading.

From around 501 BC, Confucius held various political offices in the state of Lu. Among other things, he was city governor, minister of construction and minister of justice. His political work was characterized by reforms and efforts to strengthen social order and moral values. However, even in his official roles, his true passion lay in the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge.

His philosophy focused on the promotion of virtues such as humanity, justice, ritual decency, wisdom and sincerity. He emphasized the importance of education, family ties and social harmony. His teachings aimed to create a just and moral society in which each individual understands and fulfills his or her role.

Confucius‘ cultural influence is immense. His emphasis on education, moral integrity and social responsibility shaped thought and action in China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam for thousands of years. Confucianism influenced political systems, educational institutions and social norms and contributed to the development of a society that values harmony, respect and ethical behavior.

What does Confucius stand for?

Confucius‘ teachings form the basis of Confucianism, a philosophical, ethical and partly religious tradition in East Asia.

A central element of Confucius‘ teachings is the “Golden Rule”: “Do not do to others what you would not wish for yourself. ”¹ This ethical principle calls on people to show empathy and to always reflect on their own behavior in terms of its impact on others.

Confucius‘ philosophy is based on five central virtues:

• Humanity (Ren): At the heart of Confucius‘ teachings is the concept of humanity, known as Ren. This principle emphasizes compassion, charity and the ability to empathize with others. Confucius taught that a virtuous person should always have the welfare of others in mind and strive to maintain harmonious relationships. Ren is therefore the basis for moral behavior and social harmony in Confucianism.
• Justice (Yi): Another central principle is Yi, righteousness or justice. This concept requires individuals to act morally correct and to put aside personal advantages in favor of the common good. Yi emphasizes the importance of integrity and honesty in all areas of life.
• Ritual (Li): Li refers to the observance of rites, traditions and social norms. Confucius saw these rituals as a means of ensuring social order and stability. By practicing Li, individuals show respect for others and contribute to the maintenance of social harmony.
• Wisdom (Zhi): Zhi stands for wisdom and knowledge. Confucius emphasized the importance of education and continuous learning as a means for personal development and perfection as well as for the advancement of society. A wise person should be able to distinguish between right and wrong and act accordingly.
• Sincerity (Xin): Xin symbolizes sincerity and trustworthiness. For Confucius, honesty in thought and action is essential in order to build and maintain trust in interpersonal relationships.

In addition to these virtues, Confucius emphasized the importance of “Five Relationships” (Wǔlún). These relationships are hierarchically structured and should help to promote order, harmony and respect in society:

• Ruler and subject (Jūn-Chén): the ruler should be benevolent and just, while the subject should show loyalty and obedience.
• Father and son (Fù-Zǐ): The father should be caring and the son respectful and obedient.
• Husband and wife (Fū-Fù): The husband should respect and protect his wife, while the wife should be respectful to her husband.
• Elder and younger siblings (Xiōng-Dì): The elder brother should be a role model, while the younger brother should show respect.
• Friend and friend (Péng-Yǒu): Friends should treat each other with sincerity and trust.

Confucius emphasized the importance of the family as the foundation of society. He saw strong family ties and respect for parents and elders as the basis for social stability and moral development. With his philosophy of humanity, justice, wisdom and sincerity, Confucius wanted to inspire individuals and society as a whole to act nobly and live together in harmony.

What are his most important works?

Confucius himself did not leave behind any writings. His teachings were collected and written down by his disciples as the “Conversations of Confucius”. This work, called the “Analects” (from the Greek word “analektá”, i.e. collected sayings) or “Lúnyǔ” in Chinese, is a collection of the master’s conversations and sayings and forms the central basis of Confucianism.

The essential texts of Confucianism, which summarize its most important principles, were selected and commented on by Zhu Xi, a neo-Confucian scholar of the 12th century AD, in the “Four Books” (Sìshū)²:

• The Analects (Lúnyǔ): These are the Conversations of Confucius, a collection of sayings and dialogs between Confucius and his disciples. It offers insights into his views on ethics, politics and personal development. The Lunyu is a central source for understanding Confucian philosophy.
• „ Daxue – The Great Learning (Dàxué): This book emphasizes the importance of education and moral self-cultivation. It describes the path to personal perfection and the creation of a harmonious society.
• Zhongyong – The Doctrine of the Mean (Zhōngyōng): This work deals with the concept of balance and harmony in human behavior. It emphasizes the importance of moderation and right moderation in all things.
• The Writings of Mencius (Mèngzǐ): This encompasses the teachings of Mencius (referred to as Mèngzǐ in Chinese), one of the most significant disciples of Confucius. Mencius deepened and expanded Confucian philosophy, particularly in relation to human nature and government ethics.

Another central summary of works of Confucian wisdom and education are the “Five Classics” (Wǔjīng)³. These texts are said to have been collected, studied and used as basic teaching texts by Confucius himself:

• The Book of Changes (Yìjīng): This is a book of Oracles and consists of a collection of texts and symbols that were used for divination. It contains philosophical commentaries that served as the basis for various Chinese schools of thought.
• The Book of Songs (Shījīng): A collection of 305 poems and songs that reflect the life, love and work of the people in the Zhou Dynasty. This work offers valuable insights into the culture and society of ancient China.
• The Book of Documents (Shūjīng): This book contains historical documents and speeches describing political events and governing principles of early Chinese history. It serves as an important source for understanding the political philosophy of Confucius.
• The Book of Rites (Lǐjì): A collection of texts dealing with people’s rites, ceremonies and social behavior. It emphasizes the importance of rituals and etiquette in maintaining social order.
• The Spring and Autumn Annals (Chūnqiū): A chronicle of events in the state of Lu, the home of Confucius, from 722 to 481 B.C. This work is attributed to Confucius himself and reflects his view of history and morality.

The Four Books and the Five Classics form the core of Confucius‘ work and have been studied and taught in Chinese education and administration for centuries. They offer insights into the world of Confucius‘ thought and the cultural and social structures of ancient China. However, the importance of these works lies not only in their historical value, but also in their timeless wisdom.

What human impact did Confucius create and why is this important for modern
leaders?

Confucius‘ teachings offer universal and timeless principles that can also help modern leaders to act ethically, sustainably and effectively, promoting both personal and social values:

• Humanity and empathy as a leadership principle: At the heart of Confucius‘ philosophy is humanity, also known as “ren”, which emphasizes compassion, benevolence and respect for others. For leaders, this means treating their employees with empathy in order to create trust and a positive working environment. This attitude not only increases satisfaction, but also team effectiveness and commitment. Empathic leadership promotes collaboration and minimizes conflict by establishing a culture of mutual respect.
• Ethics and moral integrity: Confucius saw ethical behavior and moral integrity as the basis for a just and successful life. In modern leadership, these values are essential, especially when dealing with ethical dilemmas. Leaders who uphold moral principles gain the trust of their employees and customers and thus ensure the long-term success of their company. The orientation towards Confucius‘ ideas of integrity provides a solid foundation for sustainable and responsible leadership.
• Education and lifelong learning: Confucius‘ emphasis on education and continuous self-improvement is still valid for today’s leaders. In a constantly changing world, continuous learning is essential to remain innovative and adaptable. Only leaders who continue to develop themselves and invest in the development of their teams can sustainably find new perspectives, inspire their teams and successfully navigate the company in times of change. In doing so, they strengthen the innovative power and competitiveness of their organizations.
• Leadership by example: Confucius emphasized that leaders should themselves embody the values and behaviors that they expect from others. This principle of leadership by example strengthens credibility and motivates employees to follow similar standards. Leading by example builds trust and loyalty and lays the foundation for a strong corporate culture based on shared values.
• Promoting harmony and teamwork: The idea of social harmony is central to Confucius‘ teachings. Leaders should create a harmonious working environment in which teamwork is encouraged and conflicts are resolved constructively. A collaborative corporate culture based on mutual respect and a clear division of roles increases the efficiency and creativity of teams. The ability to integrate different perspectives contributes significantly to the success of teams and entire organizations.
• Long-term vision and sustainable action: Confucian philosophy emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking and sustainable development. Leaders should not only focus on short-term profits, but also consider the long-term effects of their decisions. Sustainable strategies not only strengthen and stabilize organization, but also contribute to a fairer and more harmonious society.

By integrating humanity, ethics, continuous learning and harmonious leadership, leaders can not only ensure the success of their organizations, but also make a positive contribution to society. Embracing this ancient wisdom fosters sustainable and ethical leadership, enabling modern leaders to inspire guidance, stability, and confidence within their teams, organizations, and society at large.