Everything Everywhere Daily · Saturday, August 29, 2026
Confucius believed in the natural inclination for human improvement and advocated for formal education, promoting the mastery of the six arts to become an exemplary person (Junzi). His philosophy championed merit-based rule over hereditary governance, asserting that government should be an honor earned through moral and academic excellence.
“Confucius advocated systems of formal education. Confucius promoted the education of the six arts.”
“To become an exemplary person or a Junzi, students were expected to master the ancient six arts: a holistic balance of rites, music, calligraphy, and mathematics, paired with the martial disciplines of archery and charioteering.”
“Under Confucian teachings, government should be an honor earned through merit, demonstrated through moral and academic excellence.”