"(F)ilial piety is the root of (all) virtue, and (the stem), out of which grows (all moral) teaching. Sit down again, and I will explain the subject to you. Our bodies - to every hair and bit of skin - are received by us from our parents, and we must not presume to injure or wound them: this is the beginning of filial piety. When we have established our character by the practice of the (filial) course, so as to make our name famous in future ages, and thereby glorify our parents: - this is the end of filial piety. It commences with the service of parents; it proceeds to the service of the ruler; it completed by the establishment of the character."
- from The Classic of Filial Piety by Zengzi (a disciple of Confucius), 5th century BCE
Based on this reading, the fundamental unit of ancient Chinese society was