1.  Confucianism

Kong-Fu Zi (or Confucius as he is known in the West) was the founder of Confucianism. Born in the the State of Lu in 551BC, he was a contemporary of Lao Zi. He spent much of his life trying to gain office with rulers of his time that would rule with his views. Unfortunately, Kong-Fu Zi died in 479BC   without ever achieving this goal. He had but a few followers. 

Kong-Fu Zi (Confucius)

It was not until the Han Dynasty (221BC) that Confucian theory was adopted at the highest office. It soon became the official philosophy of the country.

The teachings of Kong-Fu Zi were compiled by his followers and now formulate the Lun Yu (The Analects). This is the major text of Confucianism. The Lun Yu formed "a sort of handbook outlining the proper behaviour for a chun zi, or gentleman who is an actual or potential ruler of society."₁

Confucianism was not truly religious, it was more pratical and ethical. The Confucian system of values includes jen (benevolence), shu (reciprocity), yi (righteousness), and li (enactment of rituals)"₂. 

Kong-Fu Zi wanted to return the world to the old ways. He hoped to do this through the adoption of "the five virtues of kindness, uprightness, decorum, wisdom, and faithfulness"₃.

Kong-Fu Zi devised a hierarchical system that showed everyone's place in society and their relationship to one another. The father was superior to the son, the Emperor was superior to the father and so forth. With this system and his ideas of loyalty, truthfulness and filial piety, Kong-Fu Zi hoped to achieve his goal of a peaceful and ordered society.  

The Confucian 'library' consists of nine works; the five classics and the four books.

The Wu Jing (Five Classics), actually originated before the time of Confucius but they form an integral part of the school's teachings. In the ancient times, in order to obtain high office, one would have to be versed in these texts. The Five Classics consist of the Yi Jing (Book of Changes), Shu Jing (Book of History), Shih Jing (Book of Poetry), Li Chi (Book of Rites), and Ch'un Ch'iu (Spring and Autumn Annals).

The Shi Shu (Four Books), consisted of the teachings of Kong-Fu Zi and one his most famous followers, Mencius and also commentaries of Confucian scholars. The Four Books are the Lun Yü (Analects), Ta Hsüeh (The Great Learning), Chung Yung (The Doctrine of the Mean) and the Mencius (Book of Mencius).

Wisdom

To learn and from time to time to apply what one has learned - isn't that a pleasure? - Analects 1:1

The Master said, "Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue."
- Analects 1:3

The Master said, "I will not be afflicted at men's not knowing me; I will be afflicted that I do not know men."
- Analects 1:16

The Master said, "Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous." - Analects 2:15

The Master said, "The people may be made to follow a path of action, but they may not be made to understand it."
- Analects 8:9

The Master said, "Superior men, and yet not always virtuous, there have been, alas! But there never has been a mean man, and, at the same time, virtuous." - Analects 14:7

2.  Legalism

Legalism was founded by Han Feizi and Shangzi. Its primary text was written by Han Feizi and carries the same name.

Han Feizi was schooled in the teachings of Confucianism from a young age and became a fine philosopher. However, a speech impediment stopped him from lecturing and touring the Emperor's courts. As he could not speak to a large audience he chose to write - the result was the Han Feizi. The Han Feizi is a 55 chapter guide to ruling as is directed at kings.

Shangzi (or Gungsun Yang) believed a strong government enforcing the letter of the law would halt all strife in China. This is the message he preached.

Legalism saw the law as the ultimate authority, it demanded that all members of society obeyed the decree of the law. There were three components to the Legalist model: 

One source describes legalism as follows: "The laws of Legalism had nothing to do with the protection of individual rights. Legalism was a political philosophy that was designed to put all political authority into the hands of the emperor. These laws did not protect a citizen, but rather they made sure that he obeyed."₁

Legalism went on the succeed were all other Chinese schools of philosophy had failed - it united China.

It was the Qin (Chin) Dynasty that exercised the ideals of Legalism. It exercised them brutally, punishing minor crimes with decapitation or the severing of an arm or foot. It was the Qin that unified China in 221BC. The dynasty was dissolved in 14 years. None the less, Legalism did unite China.

Legalism can therefore be seen as a harsh way to govern or a fair system (as everyone is equal under the law). As with all philosophy, it comes down to how the principles are used. The ways of the Qin were brutal but the ideals of Legalism do not necessarily call for brutality.

Wisdom

To govern the state by law is to praise the right and blame the wrong.