Confucius (孔子) isthe greatest teacher in Chinese history. He was born on September 28,551BC (公元前) in the Kingdom of Lu, in today's Shandong Province. When he wasyoung, he and his mother had a hard life. At the age of fifteen, he began tolearn music, and he did well in it. Then he went on learning other subjects.When he was thirty, he became a teacher. He started his own school. He believedeveryone should have a chance to get education whether (无论) they were rich or poor. He had about 3,000 students and many ofthem became famous.

    Chinese see Confucius as the greatestthinker and also the greatest teacher. His most important ideas are kindnessand good manners. He said young people should take care of the old. Peopleshould stop thinking of themselves and work for others. His ideas are around inpeople's everyday life. Today people can still hear them, andtheygofar into east and south Asia.