Analects

When “The Analects” was released to Chinese culture many years ago, it began to shape their culture and society for the better. While Confucius was alive he did a measure of philosophy teachings, and he even wrote “The Analects. “The Analects” was a literary composition that consisted of Philosophical quotes from Confucius. Within “The Analects” Confucius uses analogies like the superior man, mean man, and gives examples of filial piety, while teaching his philosophy. Even though Confucius taught on many subjects, I find that some of his teachings on the superior man are interesting and that they can relate and also be applied to todays society. When the superior man is introduced in Confucius’s teachings, he is a person who uses wisdom to…

In the Analects, Confucius responds to a story the Duke of She told him in regards to an ‘upright’ man reporting his father’s crime of stealing a sheep. Confucius responds saying, “the upright men in [his] community are different from [that].” Confucius insists that a truly ‘upright’ man will conceal the crimes of his father, just as the father should conceal the crimes of his son. The father and son should cover up the misconduct of the other in order to keep harmony within the family. If the…

One of the key virtues in Confucianism, humaneness, takes form in this passage from the Analects as a comparison to the wise. Confucianism relies on the virtues of humaneness, ritual propriety, loyalty, filial piety, and reciprocity as a set of guidelines in which to live a life of righteousness. Above all of these virtues is humaneness. A few questions are surely to arise when reading the passage above. For example, why is wisdom being compared with humaneness? What does it mean for the…

Confucius associated loyalty with reciprocity. Reciprocity is the practice of exchanging things with other for mutual benefits, according to the New Oxford American Dictionary. Both are based on the principle of humanity. In the Analects of Confucius, one of the Four Books of Confucianism, Confucius' pupil Tseng Tzu is cited as saying that his lord's teaching can be summed up in the two ideas of loyalty and correspondence (reciprocity). “In Confucius's words, "Do not do to others what you would…

The Analects is a collection of passages written in the words of Confucius and his disciples.It largely aims to shows the moral and philosophical values in China and other Eastern countries. Confucius can be regarded conservative through this writings; however, conservatism is greatly seen in the Analects through different themes like rituals (Li), humaneness (Jen/Ren), Superior Scholar (Chun-tzu), Filial (Xiao). Confucius has focused a number of his teachings on following rites and rituals, in…

In the Analects, Confucius argues that wealth is something not “worth pursuing” (7.12). However, this does not imply it is better to be poor than to be rich, but rather asserts that happiness is attainable at any status given a person follows proper customs. As Confucius says, the ideal state is being “poor and yet joyful, rich and yet loving ritual” (1.15). Confucius relates the worth of the person to their actions instead of their financial or societal status. Even for his students he…

For this paper, I chose to read an excerpt from the Analects written by Confucius Kongfuzi circa 500 CE. I decided to provide a commentary on one of the excerpts from Confucius’ Analects because I was interested in learning one of the basic Confucian principles. In particular, I will be focusing on Confucius’ passage about jen (ren), meaning humaneness, because I took an interest in Confucius’ thoughts of how he believed humanity should act to better oneself and those nearby us. Confucians…

It is a record of the conversations between Confucius and his disciples, which were later written down by his disciples. It is one of the major parts of Four Books. Confucius’s philosophies are based on the principle of good conduct, wisdom and proper social relationships. Confucius was the person who said that country should be ruled by moral values rather than with military powers. In the Analects Confucius says, “By nature men are pretty much alike; it is learning and practice that set them…

Confucius was a Chinese philosopher who envisioned a great plan to restore order back to all of China. He wrote a book Confucius: The Analects, to tell about the order and peace he hoped to bring back to China. His teachings were published into a book by his students after his death. He believed in loving others and self-discipline rather than enforcing laws and punishments. He believed that with his new plan that he could restore China, and bring back order to it. Confucius wanted social order…

The Ren of the Analects Confucius was a renowned teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. Living from 551 to 497 BC, Confucius’ philosophy emphasized on morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, as well as sincerity. He authored many Chinese classical texts such as that of the Five Classics. However, he was credited most for his work on “The Analects” (also known as the Analects of Confucius), a series of 20 books that present…