Confucius, born Kong Qiu, was a Chinese philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period who is traditionally considered the paragon of Chinese sages. Much of the shared cultural heritage of the Sinosphere originates in the philosophy and teachings of Confucius. His philosophical teachings, called Confucianism, emphasized personal and governmental morality, harmonious social relationships, righteousness, kindness, sincerity, and a ruler's responsibilities to lead by virtue. October 3, 552 BC – March 4, 479 BC; died at 72. Alive at the same time as The Buddha, Sophocles, Sun Tzu, Pythagoras, and Aeschylus. Wiki link