Synopses & Reviews
Confucius is one of the most important figures in Chinese history, whose philosophies have shaped world culture. Often overlookedoutside his native country, Confucius himself was a fascinatingfigure. A contemporary of Buddha, Confucius was outspokenand uncompromising man who revolutionized Chinese societynearly 2,500 years ago, when the country was merely a looseweb of feudal provinces. No small feat for the illegitimate son ofa retired soldier and a teenage concubine, who once received aprophecy from the local fortune-teller that she would give birth toa throneless king. Perhaps because of these humble beginnings, Confucius had apassionate belief in respect for others and this belief underpinnedhis life and teachings. He advised the emperors and kings of hisday, gaining their respect and undying enmity along the way. hewas equally proud of both achievements, saying that if the evilpeople of the world liked him, he was doing something wrong.Confucius established many ideas that are taken for granted today, from respecting one s parents to the Golden Rule, to virtuebeing its own reward. his theories became the foundation of oneof the world s first civil services and established social structuresthroughout Asia that still exist today.
Synopsis
Now in paperback, An illuminating portrait of Confucius's life and philosophical teachings.
Confucius is one of the most important figures in Chinese history, a man whose philosophies have shaped world culture. Often overlooked outside his native country, Confucius himself was a fascinating figure. A contemporary of Buddha, Confucius was an outspoken and uncompromising man who revolutionized Chinese society nearly 2,500 years ago, when the country was merely a loose web of feudal provinces. No small feat for the illegitimate son of a retired soldier and a teenage concubine, who once received a prophecy from the local fortune-teller that she would give birth to a "throneless king."
Perhaps because of these humble beginnings, Confucius had a passionate belief in respect for others and this belief underpinned his life and teachings. He advised the emperors and kings of his day, gaining their respect and undying enmity along the way. He was equally proud of both achievements, saying that if the evil people of the world liked him, he was doing something wrong.
In this enlightening portrait of a great man, the reader will discover how Confucius's theories became the foundation of social structures throughout Asia that still exist today.
8 pages of black & white illustrations
Synopsis
Now in paperback, An illuminating portrait of Confucius's life and philosophical teachings.
Synopsis
Confucius is one of the most important figures in Chinese history, a man whose philosophies have shaped world culture. Often overlooked outside his native country, Confucius himself was a fascinating figure. A contemporary of Buddha, Confucius was an outspoken and uncompromising man who revolutionized Chinese society nearly 2,500 years ago, when the country was merely a loose web of feudal provinces. No small feat for the illegitimate son of a retired soldier and a teenage concubine, who once received a prophecy from the local fortune-teller that she would give birth to a "throneless king."
Perhaps because of these humble beginnings, Confucius had a passionate belief in respect for others and this belief underpinned his life and teachings. He advised the emperors and kings of his day, gaining their respect and undying enmity along the way. He was equally proud of both achievements, saying that if the evil people of the world liked him, he was doing something wrong.
In this enlightening portrait of a great man, the reader will discover how Confucius's theories became the foundation of social structures throughout Asia that still exist today.
About the Author
Meher McArthur is an art historian and the former curator of East Asian Art at the Pacific Asian Museum in California. She is the author of Reading Buddist Art: An Illustrated Guide to Buddhist Signs and Symbols, The Arts of Asia: Materials, Techniques, Styles, and Confucius: A Throneless King. She lives in Pasadena, CA.