The Analects is a collection of sayings and teachings attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius and his disciples, compiled over a period of several centuries after his death. It is one of the most important works in the Chinese philosophical tradition, and has had a profound influence on East Asian thought and culture. The text covers a wide range of topics – including ethics, politics, education, and personal cultivation – and emphasizes the importance of filial piety, moral behavior, and self-improvement. The Analects has been translated into numerous languages and remains a popular and widely studied text today.
Confucius believed that humans are inherently good, but are corrupted by society and culture. He believed that by following certain moral principles and cultivating oneself through learning and self-improvement, individuals can achieve a good life and contribute to a harmonious society.
One of the central themes of the Analects is the concept of ren, or “humaneness” or “benevolence.” Confucius believed that ren was the ultimate goal of human behavior, and that individuals should strive to cultivate this quality in themselves and others through compassion, respect, and the fulfillment of social obligations.
Another significant theme of the Analects is the value of education and personal growth. Confucius emphasized the importance of continuous learning and self-cultivation to achieve one’s fullest potential and make a positive impact on society.
Stories
These anecdotes demonstrate the importance of Confucius’ teachings in his own life and how he practiced what he preached.
Filial Piety: One of Confucius’ most famous stories is about his devotion to his mother. According to the story, his mother was blind and had trouble finding her way around the house. So, Confucius moved his own sleeping quarters closer to hers and spent every night helping her to bed and taking care of her. This story is often cited as an example of Confucius’ commitment to the Confucian value of filial piety, or respect and care for one’s parents and elders.
Learning and Growth: Confucius was a lifelong learner and believed that education was the key to personal and social growth. According to one story, Confucius spent years studying the classics and practicing rituals in order to gain a deeper understanding of the past and to cultivate his own character. He also encouraged his students to pursue knowledge and self-improvement through reading, contemplation, and practice.
Humaneness: Confucius believed that all people had the potential for goodness and that it was our duty to cultivate that potential through acts of kindness and compassion. According to one story, Confucius once encountered a man who had stolen a sheep. Instead of punishing the man, Confucius talked to him and learned that he was stealing because he was hungry and had no other way to feed his family. Confucius then gave the man money and food, and told him to stop stealing and to find a better way to support his family. This story is often cited as an example of Confucius’ belief in the power of compassion to transform people’s lives.
On Government and Leadership:
“Lead the people with administrative injunctions and put them in their place with penal law, and they will avoid punishments but will be without a sense of shame. Lead them with excellence and put them in their place through roles and hierarchy, and in addition to avoiding punishments, they will have a sense of shame.” – Analects 2.3 (Lau)
- “He who would rule must first learn to serve.” – Analects 1.2 (Lau)
- “When anger rises, think of the consequences.” – Analects 17.14 (Lau)
- “Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.” – Analects 15.14 (Lau)
On Virtue, Ethics, Morality:
“What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.” – Analects 15.24 (Lau)
- “Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.” – Analects 4.25 (Legge)
- “To be able to practice five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue; gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.” – Analects 17.6 (Lau)
- “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” – Analects 2.17 (Lau)
- “The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.” – Confucius (Attributed)
- “Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius (Attributed)
On Learning and Wisdom:
“Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.” – Analects 2.15 (Legge)
- “The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not is a fool for life.” – Analects 2.14 (Legge)
- “Study the past if you would define the future.” – Analects 2.11 (Lau)
- “If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for ten years, plant trees. If your plan is for 100 years, educate humanity.” – Analects 9.21 (Lau)
- “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” – Analects 1.12 (Lau)
On Family and Relationships:
- “To be fond of learning is to be near to knowledge; to practice with vigor is to be near to magnanimity; to possess the feeling of shame is to be near to energy.” – Analects 1.4 (Lau)
- “The cautious seldom err.” – Analects 16.10 (Lau)
- “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential…these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” – Confucius (Attributed)
- “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius (Attributed)