Half of the Analects -- A Guide to Success for Modern People: A Guide to Success for Modern People

Author: Li Zhen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: For modern people, the word "success" is highly alluring. Thousands of rural young men and women, with rose-colored dreams in their hearts, enter the city to engage in construction, business, and seek opportunities for success. Urban youth take the TOEFL, join multinational corporations, and pursue MBA degrees, aspiring to become success stories like Bill Gates. The works of Western success gurus like Dale Carnegie, Napoleon Hill, and Spencer Johnson become bestsellers. People hold these books, striving to find the golden key that unlocks the door to success.
The Analects is a book that records the thoughts and actions of Confucius and his disciples. It has been in existence for over two thousand years since it was compiled. Some may disdainfully ask: Such an old-fashioned book, if brought to today, can be of any use? Others might say: Confucius was just an old scholar who only talked about theory. His teachings are already outdated. For modern people to succeed, why would they need to seek wisdom from an "outdated" and "stubborn" village scholar? That would be laughable, but wait. Precisely in Confucius, in the Analects, lies much wisdom that has been lost to modern people. These insights can help us achieve true success and a happy life.
The ancients said, "To understand the world is learning; to be skilled in human relations is literature." The Analects, which records Confucius's words and actions, is the learning of understanding the world and the literature of mastering human relations. As long as one understands half of it, they can achieve success. This is not just professional success but also happiness, health, and wealth in life.
The Origin of "The Half of the Analects"
In 960, Zhao Pu assisted Zhao Kuangyin in Huangqiao Yiz, where he was given the yellow robe and ascended the throne as emperor. Zhao Pu thus became the most powerful minister under heaven. Later, when Emperor Taizong of Song ascended the throne, Zhao Pu served as prime minister twice more. At that time, people widely rumored that Zhao Pu read very little, only the Analects. Emperor Taizong asked Zhao Pu if this was true. Zhao Pu replied, "My life's learning is not as extensive as that—I only have half of it. Back then, I used half of the Analects to help Emperor Taizu (i.e., Zhao Kuangyin) pacify the world. Now, I plan to use this same half to help Your Majesty achieve peace in the land." This is the origin of the saying, "The Half of the Analects Governs the World."
The Analects is not long, and half of it is even shorter. However, if a person truly understands the Half of the Analects and puts its teachings into practice, they can undoubtedly overcome any difficulties on their life's path and achieve success.