In the view of Confucians, official service was society’s highest and most important calling. This view was reflected in their hierarchical ranking of occupations, which (though never formally legislated) exercised profound influence over the course of Chinese history. In this ranking, the (Confucian) scholar-official held the top spot; next came the farmer whose labors fed the people; then came the artisan who provided products and tools for daily use; and finally came the merchant.
