Amidst the pandemonium of incessant fighting and political unpredictability of the Shang and Zhou eras, various intellectual thinkers ascended and conveyed such insightful perspectives in the fields of religion, politics, and philosophy; the study of ideas about knowledge, truth, the nature, and meaning of life. During China's rise to Empire, Chinese philosophers such as Kongfuzi, or Confucius, Mencius, and Han Fei implemented two prestige philosophies: Confucianism and Legalism. Although the approaches to Confucianism and Legalism show a couple of distinct similarities, the differences between the philosophies are significantly evident. The first difference between Confucianism and Legalism is that they have completely different beliefs. Based on the teachings of Confucius, the beliefs of Confucianism were established. The main goal of Confucianism is to instill how to live a harmonious life and adapt socially. Knowledge, humanity, integrity, righteousness or justice, and etiquette or fairness are the five fundamental virtues that derive from the teachings of Confucianism. The virtues are further instilled in filial piety, contingency, loyalty and righteousness. Confucianism also communicates that relationships and family are the highest priorities in a person's life. In contrast to Confucianism, Legalism is a pragmatic political philosophy and believes that using a system of rewards for good citizenship "establishes clear and strict laws or metes out harsh punishments" for citizens who violate the law, and its essential principle is that of jurisprudence. They believed that human nature was inherently bad, which is why strict laws were needed to keep people under control. This belief about human nature justified dictatorships and authoritarian rulers, which often led to corruption in... middle of paper... Chinese civilization into a successful empire. In China for approx. 770 BC – 220 CC, two magnificent philosophies were introduced into Chinese civilization. Although the philosophical approaches of Confucianism and Legalism display a couple of distinct similarities, the differences between the philosophies are significantly evident. As we have looked at the similarities and differences between Confucianism and Legalism. It is clear that Confucianism is an ethical and philosophical system normally considered one of the world religions. Legalism is a political philosophy that does not address higher questions regarding the nature and purpose of existence. No more severe and harsh punishments. Even today these philosophies are still practiced in Chinese culture. “It doesn't matter how slow you go as long as you don't stop.” – Confucius