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While many know the famous proverbs of Confucius, they don’t know much about the man himself.

“A lot of people, either in China or overseas, they can quote Confucius. It's like very common people to say 'Confucius says,' however, how much people really know Confucius, that is really our purpose with this exhibition,” says Willow Hai Chang, director of the China Institute Gallery.

This new exhibit at the China Institute Gallery looks at the life of the renowned Chinese scholar and philosopher through artwork and artifacts. He lived 2,500 years ago, and today his teachings of love and family are still studied and practiced around the world.

“He placed an emphasis on benevolence,” Hai Chang says. “He said, ‘benevolence is love your parents;’ that is most basic value.”

The exhibit showcases ancient treasures and gifts to Confucius’s descendants. In the United States today, of course, his famous proverbs are best known as ancient words of wisdom found inside fortune cookies. But curators say, don’t expect to find those in his homeland of China.

“Fortune cookie, of course, are not something Confucius dreamed about 2,500 years ago,” says Hai Chang. “That is a really modern invention. I think that is a very cute touch. In fact, a fortune cookie only appears in America. Even in China, in mainland China at least, there is no fortune cookie after meal. I think that is a really fun touch for after the meal; people can have a little intellectual fun.”

For more information on this new exhibit, go to ChinaInstitute.org.

CONFUCIUS: His Life and Legacy in Art
February 11-June 13, 2010
China Institute
125 East 65th Street
New York, NY 10065
Phone: 212-744-8181
Fax: 212-628-4159