Zhou dynasty philosophers

Confucius (), born Kong Qiu, was a Chinese philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period who is traditionally considered the paragon of Chinese sages. Much of the shared cultural heritage of the Sinosphere originates in the philosophy and teachings of Confucius. His philosophical teachings, called Confucianism, emphasized personal and governmental morality, harmonious social relationships, righteousness, kindness, sincerity, and a ruler's responsibilities to lead by virtue.

Laozi (, ; ), formerly Latinized as Laocius, was a legendary Chinese philosopher considered to be the author of the Tao Te Ching (Pinyin: Dào Dé Jīng), one of the foundational texts of Taoism. Modern scholarship generally regards his biographical details as later inventions and his opus a collaboration of various writers, with the name Laozi, literally meaning 'Old Master', likely intended to portray an archaic anonymity that could converse with Confucianism. Traditional accounts addend him as , born in the 6th-centuryBC state of Chu during China's Spring and Autumn period (). Serving as the r

6th century BCE Chinese general and military strategist

Mencius (孟子, Mèngzǐ, ; ), born Meng Ke (), was a Chinese Confucian philosopher, often described as the Second Sage () to reflect his traditional esteem relative to Confucius himself. He was part of Confucius's fourth generation of disciples, inheriting his ideology and developing it further. Living during the Warring States period, he is said to have spent much of his life travelling around the states offering counsel to different rulers. Conversations with these rulers form the basis of the Mencius, which would later be canonised as a Confucian classic.

Chinese Taoist philosopher (c. 369–286 BC)

Chinese Legalist, 280–233 BCE

Chinese Confucian philosopher (c. 310 – after 238 BCE)

Mozi, personal name Mo Di,

Chinese politician of the Qin Dynasty

Qin State statesman, chancellor and reformer (c. 390–338 BC)

Chinese founder of Yangist philosophy (440–c.360 BC)

Chinese chancellor and reformer (c. 720–645 BC)

Zisi (), born Kong Ji, was a Chinese philosopher and the grandson of Confucius.

Chinese philosopher of the 3rd century BCE of the School of Names

Chinese general (440–381 BC)

4th-century BCE Chinese philosopher and author

Zhou Dynasty philosopher

Chinese philosopher and politician (c.400–c.337 BC)

Chinese philosopher

4th century BCE Chinese philosopher of the School of Names

Chinese political strategist in the Warring States period

5th-century BC prominent disciple of Confucius

Chinese legalist theoretician (c.350–c.275 BC)

Chinese prime minister

thumb|Portrait of Zichan from Sancai Tuhui

ancient Chinese philosopher and politician from the state of Qi in the 6th century BC

Chinese philosopher and rhetorician (c.545–501 BCE)

Important disciple of Confucius (520–456 BC)

4th-century BC Chinese philosopher and engineer

group of 4 eminent Chinese Confucian philosophers: Yan Hui, Zengzi, Zisi, Mencius

Gaozi (; ca. 420-350 BCE), or Gao Buhai (), was a Chinese philosopher during the Warring States period. Gaozi's teachings are no longer extant, but he was a contemporary of Mencius (ca. 372-289 BCE), and most of our knowledge about him comes from the Mencius book (6) titled "Gaozi".

philosopher of the School of Names

Chinese philosopher