The authorities seem hell-bent on resurrecting Confucius as a symbol of national unity and wisdom, but this isn’t the first time the old sage has returned. At the turn of the century, questions about the direction of the nation hinged on loving(or hating) Confucius. The authorities seem hell-bent on resurrecting Confucius as a symbol of national unity and wisdom, but this is not the first time the old sage has returned. At the turn of the century, questions about the direction of the nation hinged on loving ( or hating) Confucius.