Pages from Confucius Sinarum Philosophus (Confucius, the Philosopher of the Chinese), 1687 (engraving)

The philosophy of Confucius emphasises personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. These values gained prominence in China during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE). The right page reads "The Life of Confucius, Prince/First of the Chinese Philosophers". Confucius' thoughts have been developed into a system of philosophy known as Confucianism. It was introduced to Europe by the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, who was the first to Latinise the name as 'Confucius'. His teachings may be found in the Analects of Confucius, a collection of brief aphoristic fragments, which was compiled many years after his death.