twenty-five hundred years ago life in china was very hard. most of the people were hopelessly poor. into these times one of china’s great leaders was born. he was confucius. confucius came from a noble family, but his parents were poor. his father died when confucius was only three years old. the boy was a good and obedient son to his mother.

　　he grew up to be quiet, thoughtful, and studious. as confucius watched the people around him, he became eager to help them. at last he left his family and started out his students to be honest and kind, and to honor their parents. he taught them that a good man never lets himself get angry. many of his savings were gathered together and written down. one of his famous savings is “do not do to others what you do not wish others to do to you. “ for years he wandered from province to province spreading his ideas to all who would listen to him.