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Happy ever after
Confucius had a simple recipe for a happy life:
People should be nice to one another, with Li is the virtue Ren is the
the ruler setting an example. He made five Yi is the virtue of
rules, which he called the FIVE VIRTUES. virtue of of correct charity and
These were Yi, Li, Ren, Zhi, and Xin—with each honesty and behavior and humanity.
propriety.
one crucial for a happy and worthwhile life. integrity.
By the way…
Confucius probably didn’t Zhi is the virtue Xin is the virtue
write any books himself.
His sayings were collected of knowledge of faithfulness
and loyalty.
and written down by
and learning.
his followers.
Getting the message
It was only after his death that
Confucius’s message really got
through to people. In 136 BCE, the
philosopher’s ideas were officially
adopted in China as a central part of
the country’s policy. Confucianism,
as the system came to be known,
lasted for the NEXT 2,000 YEARS.
How it changed the world
In Confucius’s time, it was a pretty
startling idea that rulers should
behave well and treat their subjects
kindly. The philosopher’s
way to fairer societies.
What came after… suggestions helped to pave the
Chinese philosopher MENCIUS The third president of the
(372–289 BCE) took Confucius’s United States of America,
ideas a step further. He THOMAS JEFFERSON (1743–
instructed people to join together 1826), was influenced by the
to overthrow unjust rulers. philosophies of Confucius.
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