The Chinese philosopher Confucius originated from the present-day province of Shandong and lived from around 551 BC to 479 BC. His teachings on a life in harmony and balance, which connect people with the all-encompassing higher order, remain central to Chinese self-understanding to this day. His dialogues, aphoristically sharpened short stories, and remarks were translated into German in 1921 by the renowned sinologist and missionary Richard Wilhelm, who spent many years in China at the beginning of the 20th century.