Confucius

Confucius was an aristocrat from the small state of Lu. He lived from 551 to 479 B.C. He developed an ethical system that praised individual eduxation and proper behavior toward one's parents, peers, superiors, and others. In his philosophy, a person became worthy of a great position, not by birth to a noble parent, but by individual merit. Confucious taught that respect or one,s superiors was the first moral principle.