儒

儒 originally meant "scholar-ritualist" — Spring-and-Autumn-era specialists in poetry, ritual, music, and divination. 孔子 (Confucius, 551–479 BCE) elevated their tradition into a coherent ethical-political philosophy, after which 儒 came to mean "Confucian." Modern compounds: 儒家 (the Confucian school), 儒学 (Confucian studies), 儒生 (a Confucian scholar).

Radical 亻 (person) + 需 (need) — visualize the kind of person society needs: the scholar.