Born in 551 BCE in the state of Lu (modern-day Shandong province), Confucius lived during a tumultuous period in Chinese history marked by social upheaval and political instability. His teachings emphasised the importance of ethics, familial loyalty, and social harmony, advocating for a moral governance based on virtue rather than coercion. The core of Confucian thought revolves around concepts such as Ren (benevolence), Li (ritual propriety), and the need for self-cultivation. His writings, primarily compiled in the “Analects,” continue to inspire philosophical discourse and influence societal norms to this day, making him one of history’s most significant educational figures.