Illustrated Story of Confucius

Author: Kong Xianglin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: A child who lived in turmoil, unwilling to succumb to despair, took up the mission of benefiting the people and enlightening the masses. He advocated for a harmonious world, the construction of a moderately prosperous society, the selection of capable individuals, prioritizing the people, reducing taxes and burdens, enriching and educating the people, achieving wealth equality, and practicing widespread charity. He established a political philosophy centered on benevolent governance and moral rule. He promoted self-cultivation through virtue, extensive learning, and kindness, advocating for loyalty, forgiveness, filial piety, fraternal duty, integrity, honesty, shame, humility, and respect, establishing an ethical framework centered on benevolence. He advocated for education for all, promoting insatiable learning, tireless teaching, individualized instruction, and mutual learning, creating a comprehensive educational philosophy. He was a master of traditional thought and culture, establishing a profound and extensive philosophical system centered on benevolence, encompassing numerous doctrines such as philosophy, political science, ethics, pedagogy, economics, management, literature, military science, and history. Although Confucius held political office for a short time, his achievements were outstanding, demonstrating exceptional governance skills and diplomatic prowess. He governed Zhongdu and brought it to prosperity—where the young and old ate differently, the strong and weak had distinct roles, utensils were not falsely decorated, and markets had uniform prices. His policies were emulated by neighboring states within a year. He governed Lu and strengthened it—internally weakening private factions and strengthening the public treasury, separating men and women, and ensuring that nothing was picked up from the streets. Externally, he emphasized cultural affairs while maintaining military readiness, meeting with Qi at Jiagu and thwarting Qi's various schemes, upholding the dignity of the weaker state and reclaiming lands lost in war.