With the development of Chinese culture, more and more foreigners urge to study Chinese in China. Majority of them intend to learn Chinese in China because of the Confucius and the thoughts of Confucian School. On this account, most of them have general knowledge about Confucius before they go to study Mandarin in China.
For students liking to study Chinese in China, everything especially the thoughts of Confucian, would arouse their passion to study Mandarin in China. Confucius (551B.C.—479B.C.), the great philosopher and educator, founder of the Confucian School, was born in Qufu, Shandong province. The ancestors of Confucius used to the nobility of Song state. The whole family of Confucius, then, moved to Lu state because of the war. On the other hand, he had no father in his childhood, thanks to the declining of the family, so that he had to learn variety of skills for living. Therefore, he called himself with these words “吾少也贱，故多能鄙事”.
Confucius was born in the later ages of the Warring State Period, the revolution period of economy, society. Those foreign students who study Mandarin in China would have general knowledge of the Warring State Period. On this account, he was furious with the condition that 礼崩乐坏 so that the political claim of restoring “礼治”, thinking that “天下无道”.
The more you learn Chinese in China; you will understand the thoughts of Confucian the better. What’s more, in Confucius’ opinion, it was hardly to realize “礼治” without the concept of “仁” which covered a wide range. What Confucius had stressed was the ability to strengthen one’s cultivation, which had been considered as an ethical standard. It helped to adjust the interpersonal relationship. At the same time, the ethical standard was consistent with “礼”. Therefore, there the saying in Chinese culture goes like that “克己复礼为仁”.
As for the theory on universe, Confucius was a true believer of God, which has shown that he did not shed those though about the God leaving from the Xi Zhou Dynasty. On the other hand, he was a lot more skeptical for the thoughts about the God as well. Moreover, he had put forward something about it like that “敬鬼神而远之”, and “未能成事，焉能事鬼”. After you study Chinese in China for several months, these Chinese words would be easy for you to understand.
Besides, Confucius was a great expert especially in sorting out ancient works, who had outlined six kinds of literature books, “诗” Shi, “书”Shu, “礼”Li, “易” Yi, “春秋”Chunqiu included. When you study Mandarin in China, you can read these classic books in the library. What’s more, these well-known literature books about Chinese culture have been honored as the classic works no matter in the ancient China or modern China. And it has made great contribution to save the ancient literature books and develop the Chinese culture positively.
Other aspects about Confucius could be memorized as well. The first influential School, the Confucian, was created by Confucius. The so-called Confucianism took the education and “礼” into consideration. As you learn Chinese in China, you could figure out that the “礼” is the essential of Confucian thoughts. And Confucius was the one who engaged in the Confucianism.
After the death of Confucius, the Confucian School had developed into many groups, who also complied with the essence of the Confucianism yet. Furthermore, the thoughts of Confucian has enormous impact on the development of thoughts, politics, education and so on.