Confucius

Confucius was a regular guy. His family was from a less aristocracy. His family had fallen into hard times when he was born. He didn't claim to have any divine status. Encouragement from his mother made him focus on his studies. That was when he became interested in philosophy.

He laid down a pattern of thinking for many people to follow for generations. The Confucian method characterizes just about all of Chinese learning down to the present. His student recorded his teachings in Analects, which was record of his words and teachings.

He began a successful political career. He rose quickly through the administrative ranks. After being dismissed by the government he became a teacher. He was praised by his students.