The Analects

Author: Zhang Fan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-02-01
Features: "The Analects" is a Confucian classic, compiled in the early Warring States period. It is a record of the thoughts and actions of Confucius by his disciples and later scholars, and the entire book consists of 20 chapters. The core idea of "The Analects" is "benevolence" (ren), which Confucius believed meant "loving others," also known as the way of "loyalty and reciprocity." However, the realization of "benevolence" must adhere to the norms of "ritual" (li), as "overcoming oneself and returning to ritual is benevolence." "The Analects" also reflects Confucius's political ideal of advocating moral governance and opposing harsh policies, as well as his educational philosophy of "teaching without discrimination" and "teaching according to aptitude." It also reveals Confucius's skeptical attitude toward ghosts and superstition.