Today, September 28, is a special day—the birthday of Confucius, a festival established specifically to honor his birth. Confucius, whose given name was Qiu and courtesy name was Zhongni, was born in what is now Qufu, Shandong Province, in the twenty-second year of Duke Xiang of Lu (551 BCE).

As a renowned educator during the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius is revered as the 'Supreme Sage Teacher.' He was not only a thinker, philosopher, and educator of world renown but also the one who laid the foundation for the rich tapestry of traditional Chinese culture. His profound teachings have had a broad and enduring impact on subsequent generations. It can be said that Confucius is both an inheritor of ancient Chinese culture and civilization and a cornerstone of China’s five-thousand-year cultural heritage.

To commemorate the Sage Confucius and to continually learn from and appreciate his spirit and philosophy, we have designated September 28 as WeTalk Day. On this day, we organize activities such as classic readings, inviting everyone to participate and experience the influence of Confucian culture in our lives. (Special promotional offers are available to commemorate Confucius birthday; see the end of the text for details.)

When mentioning Confucius, one must speak of Confucianism. Among the traditional Chinese cultural traditions of 'Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism,' Confucian culture has been the central thread of Chinese civilization from Confucius's time to the present day.

Confucian thought, which emerged after nearly 1,700 years of Chinese civilization during the periods of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, was founded by the philosopher Confucius at the end of the Spring and Autumn period, further developed by Mencius, and synthesized by Xunzi. This tradition has persisted uninterrupted, embraced by scholars throughout the ages, and remains vibrant to this day.

"Prior to approximately 290 years before Confucius’s birth, historical records in China were scarce. It was Confucius who compiled the 'Six Classics' — 'The Book of Poetry,' 'The Book of Documents,' 'The Book of Rites,' 'The Book of Music,' 'The Book of Changes,' and 'The Spring and Autumn Annals' — thereby preserving the ancient culture and civilization.

Firstly, Confucian thought emphasizes the values of 'Ren (benevolence), Yi (righteousness), Li (propriety), Zhi (wisdom), and Xin (integrity),' which form the fundamental principles of social interaction. For example, 'Ren' teaches us to love others as we love ourselves and to show respect; 'Yi' embodies the principles of being upright and fair; 'Li' provides the rules for behavior, ensuring social order; 'Zhi' signifies wisdom and the ability to discern right from wrong; 'Xin' stands for honesty and trustworthiness, rejecting deceit and fraud. These core values of Confucian thought have been internalized as ethical guidelines, profoundly influencing our social interactions and interpersonal relationships.

Secondly, the influence of Confucian thought on education is extensive. From the earliest stages of education, Confucian classics are an integral part of our curriculum. Educational concepts proposed by Confucius, such as teaching according to individual aptitude ('teaching according to the capacity') and the importance of continuous learning ('learning with regular practice'), remain guiding principles in our educational approach today. Additionally, Confucian thought emphasizes the significance of moral education, advocating for the cultivation of both moral virtue and talent ('virtue and ability combined'). This ensures that while we pursue knowledge, we do not lose sight of our moral compass and always uphold a sense of respect and pursuit of ethical conduct.

The disciples and followers of Confucius recorded and compiled his educational ideas and sayings into the book 'Analects,' which continues to provide significant guidance for our learning and daily conduct even today.

We invite you to join us in reciting the classics starting from today. Revisit works such as the 'Analects' and other classical Chinese texts, immerse yourself in the richness of traditional culture, enhance your self-cultivation, and experience spiritual growth and fulfillment.

Additionally, you can record your recitations in video or audio format and share them with us to take part in our WeTalk Day promotional activities.

Join the 'Classics Recitation Session,' contact us to collect points, and redeem online language courses.

From September 25, 2024, to October 15, 2024, new students enrolling and existing customers renewing their courses can enjoy a 10% discount on course fees.

1. By revisiting the old, we discover the new; thus, one can become a teacher.

2. Learning without reflection leads to confusion; reflection without learning is fruitless.

3. Knowing what you know and admitting what you do not know is true wisdom.

4. Never tire of learning; never tire of teaching.

5. Be eager to learn and not ashamed to ask questions.

6. Among three people walking, there is always something I can learn. Choose their good qualities and follow them; for their faults, make necessary changes.

7. Do not enlighten unless there is struggle; do not instruct unless there is perplexity. If one cannot extrapolate from one example to three, there is no need for further teaching.

8. Those who know the truth are not as good as those who love it; those who love it are not as good as those who find joy in it.

9. Seeing the virtuous, strive to match them; seeing the non-virtuous, examine yourself.

10. Is it not a pleasure to learn with constant review? Is it not delightful when friends visit from afar? Is it not the mark of a gentleman to remain unperturbed even when unrecognized?

11. Do not impose on others what you would not want for yourself.

12. A gentleman understands righteousness; a small person understands gain.

13. A gentleman is open and aboveboard; a small person is often anxious.

14. Rushing leads to failure; pursuing small gains prevents achieving great things.

15. Different paths lead to different destinations.

16. Without foresight, there will be immediate concerns.

17. Without trustworthiness, one cannot be considered reliable.

18. I examine myself three times a day: Have I acted faithfully in my dealings? Have I been honest in my friendships? Have I practiced what I have learned?

As the saying goes, 'There is benefit in opening a book.' Such classic works offer profound insights whenever we read them. Let us, on the day commemorating Confucius's birth, revisit these classics together and savor the charm of traditional culture!