# Confucius — Tao Te Ching character guide

> Confucius in Tao Te Ching by Laozi.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Kʽung, Kʽung - tung

**First appearance:** 0003-what-is-the-meaning-of-the-name-tao-and-the-chief-points-of-the-belief-in-taoism

## Who they are

The earnest moralist who sought Laozi in the royal capital, asked about ceremonies, and walked away comparing the old master to a dragon he could not fathom.

## Relationships

### [Laozi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/laozi)

_rivalry_

Confucius represents a contrasting ethical and political philosophy, and their interactions often highlight a fundamental ideological opposition.

### [Bunyan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/bunyan)

_social_

Bunyan, likely a reference to the author of Pilgrim's Progress, is compared to Confucius in terms of moral allegory, but they are not directly connected.

### [Ssŭ - ma Chʽien](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/ssu_ma_chien)

_professional_

Ssŭ-ma Chʽien documents Confucius's life and teachings, serving as a primary historical source for Confucian biography.

### [Shang Ti](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/shang_ti)

_psychological_

Confucius references Shang Ti as a traditional supreme deity, but his focus is more on ritual and moral order than on divine intervention.

### [Laozi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/laozi)

_rivalry_

Confucius represents a contrasting ethical and political philosophy, and their interactions often highlight a fundamental ideological opposition.

### [Ssŭ - ma Chʽien](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/ssu_ma_chien)

_professional_

Ssŭ-ma Chʽien documents Confucius's life and teachings, serving as a primary historical source for Confucian biography.

### [Laozi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/laozi)

_rivalry_

Confucius represents a contrasting ethical and political philosophy, and their interactions often highlight a fundamental ideological opposition.

## In the story

### [Was Taoism Older Than Laozi?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/chapters/was-taoism-older-than-laozi)

Born 551-478 BC, a transmitter of ancient doctrines, met Laozi more than once, and possibly coined the name 'Laozi'.

### [Accounts of Laozi and Chuang-Tzŭ Given by Ssŭ-Ma Chʽien](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/chapters/accounts-of-laozi-and-chuang-tz-given-by-ss-ma-ch-ien)

Visited Luoyang in 517 BC to question Laozi on ceremonies; compared Laozi to a dragon after their meeting.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/confucius
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters