Confucius was one of the wisest men who ever lived. In fact, his teachings inform the very laws and governments that we rely on today! Check out some of his jokes
here.
Despite that, most people don't know much about this ancient teacher. Want to make Confucius a little less confusing? Keep reading these facts from
r/todayilearned to start learning!
1
TIME's Top 100 Most Significant Figures in History List ranks Aristotle at #8, the father of western philosophy, but Confucius whose ideas form the basis of Asian philosophy, is not ranked at all.
2
William Hung is a 73rd Generation Descendant of Confucius.
3
The locations of the bodies of various religious leaders are known - including Muhammad, Confucius, and a canine tooth of the Buddha.
4
Using toilet paper was first mentioned in the writings of the official Yan Zhitui (531–591) who said he dared not make use of paper from books by Confucius for his "toilet usage."
5
Confucius said there are three ways to achieve wisdom. First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.
6
Harley Davidson hosted a "Ride to Confucius" in China.
7
Confucius has a Dinosaur name after him; "Confuciusornis sanctus," also known as the "Holy Confucius' Bird."
8
Confucius had a special place in his heart for unicorns.
9
Confucius never said, "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, Dig two Graves." This was actually a Japanese Proverb.
10
Confucius spent five days in jail because of an error of mistaken identity. He calmly played his lute until the error was resolved.
11
Chopsticks originated during the Shang Dynasty as a substitute for knives. According to Confucius, knives were equated with acts of aggression and shouldn't be used at the table.
12
Japan has a cult called Happy Science whose leader claims "to channel the spirits of Muhammad, Christ, Buddha and Confucius (among many other beings) and claims to be the incarnation of the supreme spiritual being called El Cantare."
13
Gao Chai, a disciple of Confucius, served as a judge and once condemned a criminal to getting his foot cut off. When he was later fleeing the state, the same man saved his life.
14
In 1967, Red Guards ransacked the graves of Confucius and his family under the slogan, "Annihilate the Kong Family Business."
15
Since 205 BC, 12 different Chinese emperors paid 20 personal visits to worship Confucius at his tomb in Qufu and 100 others sent their deputies for 196 official visits to pay their respects to him.
16
Jiroemon Kimura died at 116, being the current title holder for the longest life for a man. His secret he says is to eat until you are 80% full. It is a teaching of Confucius called "Hara hachi bun me."
17
Confucius used to work as a bookkeeper, before finally finding his true calling: becoming a cowherd. In later life, he also engaged in some teaching and philosophy.
18
Chinese engravers snuck in hidden designs on banknotes as a way to protest Japanese occupation during World War II. The 1 yuan banknote of 1938 features Confucius with his fingers in an obscene gesture.
19
Confucius' actual name was Kong Qiu. The name "Confucius" comes from the honorific "Kong Fuzi," meaning "Grand Master Kong."
20
Confucius taught the Golden Rule (or law of reciprocity) 500 years before Jesus did.
21
China has its own version of the Nobel Peace Prize called the Confucius Peace Prize.
22
The Supreme Court building has sculpted representations of 18 people who impacted our concept of law, including Confucius.
23
Up until as recently as 2008, a descendant of Confucius held a cabinet-level position in the Taiwanese government, titled the "Sacrificial Official to Confucius". The current holder is a 79th-generation descendant of the philosopher who died in 479 BC.
24
The Analects, one of the most important scripture of Confucianism, which is a large collection of sayings and ideas attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius, literally starts with, "Isn't it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned?"
25
The family tree of Confucius has been tracked for more than 2500 years, and with 80 generations, it is the longest known line of succession in history.
