Zhong You, commonly known by his courtesy names Zilu and Jilu, was one of the best known and most faithful disciples of Confucius. Among Confucius's disciples, he was the second in terms of ability and accomplishment in statesmanship, after Ran Qiu. He was noted for his valour and sense of justice, but Confucius often warned him against acting without forethought. He was killed in the State of Wey in defence of his lord Kong Kui.
A Yuan dynasty portrait of Zilu in Half Portraits of the Great Sage and Virtuous Men of Old (至聖先賢半身像), housed in the National Palace Museum
Zilu as shown on Wu Family Shrines stone-relief, tracing from Jinshisuo (金石索).
A picture of Zhong You reading under the moonlight by the ukiyo-e artist Yoshitoshi
Confucius, born Kong Qiu (孔丘), was a Chinese philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period who is traditionally considered the paragon of Chinese sages, as well as the first teacher in China to advocate for mass education. 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, correctness of social relationships, justice, kindness, sincerity, and a ruler's responsibilities to lead by virtue.
Tang-era depiction of Confucius by Wu Daozi (685–758)
Tomb of Confucius in Kong Lin cemetery, Qufu, Shandong
The Analects
The Shijing or Classic of Poetry
