Confucius

Confucius was born in 551 BC in Zou, Lu State (present-day Qufu, Shandong Province, China). His father was a military officer who died when he was three years old, so he was raised by his mother in poverty. He belonged to the shi class, which was between the common people and the aristocracy. Confucius began a political career, rising to Minister of Crime of Lu State. However, he made powerful enemies and had to leave the state in exile. He then traveled throughout China sharing his philosophical and political beliefs. Confucius is traditionally credited with writing numerous Chinese classic texts and aphorisms, many of which were compiled in the Analects after his death.