The Kong Family Mansion in Qufu of Shandong province is the historical residence of the direct descendents of Confucius. [Photo by Xing Guangli/Asianewsphoto]

3. Confucius on quality of housing and materials

Confucius said, "Pursuing wealth is a good thing, if the way of making money is proper, I can even be a carriage driver. Even if one can't be rich, one can still follow his hobbies".

When Confucius was working as an official, he lived in a big mansion which had a stable. Once his stable was on fire, he first asked if anyone was hurt, and didn't ask how the horses were.

Confucius' view on building materials can be seen from his critical words to Zai Yu, who said that rotten wood can't be used to carve and dung and dirt can't be used to construct a wall.

Confucius often quit his official position and moved out of the luxurious house the monarch offered him. He held the view that people who get used to living in good houses easily become proud and only people living in ordinary houses can stay down to earth and honest.