2. Write the term or phrase that completes
the sentence.
1. Confucius was an important Chinese
architect / teacher.
2. Confucius thought that people should respect
others who are above and below / above them.
3. Confucius's writings make up a philosophy /
textbook.
5. Confucius's teachings became basic training for members of China's civil service / nations that tried to conquer China.

3. Confucius

5. Key Confucian virtues:
Kindness and consideration toward others:
“What you don't want yourself, don't do to others”
Doing one’s best
Politeness and loyalty to one’s family
Profit is not an acceptable motivation for actions that affect 
others

6. Relationships, Confucian style:
Relationships are very structured.
The family is the basic unit of society.
Authority comes from wisdom, which comes from age.
Females are obedient to males.
Respect is given to authority figures.
Authority figures have a responsibility to rule with dignity.

7. Confucianism in China Today
Importance of Family
 - Family name comes before
  given name
  (Last name comes first!)
Politeness/Humility
 - Lower your eyes slightly when
  you meet others
 -No public displays of affection
  or rowdy conduct in public
Respect for Elders
 -Age-related titles
  (lao, xiao, da)
 -More gentle handshake and
  a slight nod to elders
Don’t be greedy
  - Refuse a gift at first when it
  is offered, so you don’t appear greedy.

8. Notes
1. Philosophy founded in China by Confucius
2. Has no god
3. Teaches:
-  Follow society’s rules
- Respect all authority
- Family is important
- Education is important
4. Golden Rule  
Goal: peace, stability, and prosperity

9. Confucianism Great Chinese philosopher Philosophy of Confucius1.
Great Chinese philosopher
Confucius 2.
Philosophy of Confucius
Confucianism 3.
System of beliefs
philosophy 4.
Groups that help a government
function (bureaucracy)
civil service 5.
Advancing based on how
well you do your job
merit system

10. Confucianism To create peace Confucius and prosperity in
Who?
Why?
To create peace
and prosperity in
a stable society
Confucius
Chinese...
What?
How?
1. Golden Rule
2. Fair government
3. Respect authority
4. Education is important
5. Family is important
Philosophy
Confucianism
When?
Where?
Began in China and
spread through
E. Asia and SE Asia
563 BCE
(to today)

11. Student Interpretations of Confucious
Pick 3 out of the 8 Confucius sayings to 
“interpret” (put in modern day language)
Students will present at the podium.

12. Confucius said: “By nature men are pretty much alike, it is learning and practice that set them apart.”
 To be virtuous, a person must ____________________________________________.
Confucius said: “Learning without thinking is labor lost; thinking without learning is perilous (dangerous).  
 To be virtuous, a person must _____________________________________________.
He was once asked, “Is there any one word that can serve as a principle for the conduct of life?”
Confucius said: “Perhaps the word ‘reciprocity’: Do not do to others what you would not want others
to do to you.”
 To be virtuous, a person must ______________________________________________.
Confucius said: “Nowadays a filial son (who honors his parents) is just a man who keeps his parents in food. But even dogs or horses are given food. If there is no feeling of reverence, wherein lies the 
difference?”
 To be virtuous, a person must _______________________________________________.

13. Confucius said: “The gentleman understands what is right; the inferior man understands what is profitable.”
 To be virtuous, a person must ________________________________________________.
Confucius said: “The gentleman cherishes virtue (honor); the inferior man cherishes possessions.
The gentleman thinks of sanctions (compromises that work for the best interest of all); the inferior
man thinks of personal favors.”
 To be virtuous, a person must _________________________________________________.
Confucius said: “The gentleman seeks to enable people to succeed in what is good but does not help 
them in what is evil. The inferior man does the contrary (opposite)."
 To be virtuous, a person must __________________________________________________.
Confucius said: “Lead the people by laws and regulate them by penalties, and the people will try to
keep out of jail, but will have no sense of shame. Lead the people by virtue and restrain them by the 
rules of decorum (appropriate behavior), and the people will have a sense of shame, and moreover
will
become good.”