Confucius (55 BC/KLOC-0 BC/-479 BC) was the greatest educator and educational thinker in ancient China, and the Confucian culture represented by him had a far-reaching influence on the cultural education in China. Confucius' educational thought is fully reflected in The Analects. Starting with the discussion of human nature, Confucius thinks that there is little difference in human innate nature, and the difference in personality is mainly formed after tomorrow. "The nature is similar, but the habits are far apart." Therefore, he attached great importance to the acquired education and advocated "teaching without distinction", hoping to cultivate people into "sages" and "gentlemen". Confucius vigorously set up private schools and trained a large number of talents.

Confucius' educational thought is embodied in The Analects of Confucius.

"Don't be angry, don't be forced, don't be angry" means that education should pay attention to teaching students in accordance with their aptitude and be good at inspiration and guidance.

"Learning without thinking is useless, thinking without learning is dangerous" emphasizes the combination of learning and thinking.

"see no evil, don't listen to evil, don't speak evil, don't move evil" emphasizes loyalty, filial piety and kindness.

At the same time, Confucius also emphasized learning from time to time and demanded that knowledge be applied to political life and moral practice.

The earliest educational work in ancient China was Xue Ji.