The Beloved Confucius, known by his contemporaries as 'The Master K'ung' was born in 511 B. C. His birthplace was the village of Ch'ueh, in the State of Lu, whither the family had migrated from the Dukedom of Sung, of which they were a branch of the ruling house. The lineage of Confucius may be traced to the Sovereign Hang Ti, who reigned no less than 2,697 years B. C. His father, - renowned as a soldier, was twice married. Confucius was the child by the second wife.

His own words trace the growth and development of his intellect and genius. "At fifteen" he tells us, "my mind was bent on learning. At thirty I stood firm. At forty I was free from delusions, at fifty I understood the Laws of Providence, at sixty my ears were attentive to the truth, and at seventy I could follow the promptings of my heart without overstepping the mean".

R. Dimsdale Stocker tells us that Confucius married when but nineteen years old, and had one son and two daughters. When fifty years of age, he entered political life, being appointed governor of Chung Tu. Having previously established a reputation as a teacher and moralist. Confucius rose still higher in public estimation, until at length he became a veritable idol in the eyes of the people.

This state of things, however, was destined to prove of but brief duration. He had to resign his position and began a period of exile and wandering from state to state. But his followers and disciples were able to testify that, even in the hour of adversity and defeat, the courage and serenity of the Master did not desert him. His transition took place in 479 B. C.

The following are a few of his well-known sayings:

To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage.

Make conscientiousness and sincerity your chief object.

Sincerity is the way to heaven. The requirement of sincerity belongs to man.

The superior man practices before he preaches.

When you have faults, - do not hesitate to abandon them.

He, who expects much from himself and little from others, will prevent himself from being disliked.

The wise have no doubts, the virtuous no sorrows, the brave no fears.

What you do not like when done to yourself, do not to others.

When you are laboring for others, let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.

If acts of goodness be not accumulated, they are insufficient to give their stamp to one's reputation. If acts of evil be not accumulated, they are not sufficient to destroy one's reputation.

Make happy those who are near and those who are far will come.