Chinese philosophy has passed through three distinct historical stages:

The Classical Age: a creative period from the 6th to the 2nd century BC;

The Medieval Age: from the 2nd century BC to the 11th century AD, a period of synthesis and absorption of foreign thought;

The Modern Age: from the 11th century to the present, a period of maturation of earlier philosophical trends and introduction of new philosophies from the West.

Throughout all these periods, Chinese thought has tended toward humanism rather than spiritualism and rationalism rather than mysticism.

HIS EARLY LIFE: WHERE HIS THOUGHT EVOLVED.

Chinese philosopher and one of the most influential figures in Chinese history.

When you talk about eastern philosophy you can't help but talk about Confucius. He is the central focus of eastern thought and his teachings branched out to his diciples (like the famous Mencius).

According to tradition, Confucius was born in the state of Lu of the noble K'ung clan. His original name was K'ung Ch'iu. His father, commander of a district in Lu, died three years after Confucius was born, leaving the family in poverty; but Confucius nevertheless received a fine

His administration was successful; reforms were introduced, justice was fairly dispensed, and crime was almost eliminated. So powerful did Lu become that the ruler of a neighboring state maneuvered to secure the minister's dismissal.

Confucius put his theories to a public test until at the age of 50 when he was appointed magistrate of Chung-tu, and the next year minister of crime of the state of Lu.

The entire teaching of Confucius was practical and ethical, rather than religious. He claimed to be a restorer of ancient morality and held that proper outward acts based on the five virtues of kindness, uprightness, decorum, wisdom, and faithfulness constitute the whole of human duty. Reverence for parents, living and dead, was one of his key concepts.

"Rulers can be great only if they themselves lead exemplary lives, and were they willing to be guided by moral principles, their states would inevitably become prosperous and happy."

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 926
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)