Confucius (孔子 - Kǒngzǐ) was a great teacher and philosopher who lived over 2,500 years ago. His ideas, called Confucianism, deeply shaped Chinese culture. He taught about the importance of ethics, family, and respect for elders. Key concepts include:

• 仁 (rén): Kindness and benevolence towards others.

• 礼 (lǐ): Acting with proper manners and ritual.

• 孝 (xiào): Filial piety, or respect for one's parents.
  His teachings emphasize harmony in relationships and society, values that are still very important in China today.