Confucius was born in answer to his parents ' rayers at a sacred hill called Ni. Confucius ' surname Kong means literally an utterance of thank fulness when prayers have been answered.
He gathered students around him and taught the basics of what is today called Confucianism. He taught decorous, courtly behavior, duty to rulers, parents, and older brothers. He taught that you should not do to others, what you would not want done to yourself.