The famous sage of Ancient China Confucius (Kunzi, about 551-478 BC) was born into a poor and simple family, early remained an orphan and knew the need, although, according to legend, his ancestors were from the royal family. In his youth, he held small positions in his native kingdom of Lu and already at that time was distinguished by extraordinary reverence for the ancient tradition. Then the first students began to come to him. The monograph is the first study in Soviet literature of the main monument of Confucian literature - "Sayings" ("Lunyu"), which is a record of Confucius' statements and conversations made by his students and followers; the ideological content of the monument, its complex symbolism and historical context are analyzed.