1. Different origins:
Taoism originated earlier, starting in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. Confucianism originated late and began in the Warring States period.
2. Different concerns:
Taoism pays attention to nature and life and advocates conforming to nature; Confucianism pays attention to ethics and politics and respects the order of human relations.
3. Different core concepts:
The core of Taoism is Tao, which emphasizes inaction; The core of Confucianism is benevolence, which emphasizes self-cultivation, keeping the family in order and governing the country.
4. Different culture methods:
Taoism emphasizes internal cultivation, health preservation and longevity; Confucianism attaches great importance to external cultivation and cultivates oneself by courtesy.
5. Different political views:
Taoism does not talk about active politics and tends to govern by doing nothing; Confucianism stresses positive politics and tends to govern by doing something.
6. Different classics:
Taoist classics are Laozi and Zhuangzi; Confucian classics are four books and five classics.
7. The main representatives are different:
Taoism includes Laozi and Zhuangzi; Confucianism includes Confucius and Mencius.
8. Different scope of influence:
Taoism has a wider influence and Confucianism has a deeper influence.
To sum up, there are obvious differences between Taoism and Confucianism, but they are also complementary and integrated in some aspects. Both of them are valuable assets of China culture.