Analects of Wisdom by Confucius

The Analects of Confucius

• an anthology of brief passages that present
the words of Confucius and his disciples,
describe Confucius as a man, and recount
some of the events of his life.
• The Analects includes twenty books, each
generally featuring a series of chapters that
encompass quotes from Confucius, which
were compiled by his disciples after his death.
 CONFUCIANISM
was developed in China by Master Kong in
551-479 BCE, who was given the
name Confucius by Jesuit missionaries who
were visiting there. However, the fundamental
principles of Confucianism began before his
birth, during the Zhou Dynasty.
• Confucius’ teachings focused on the mortal
world of rulers and the ruled rather than life
after death. In Confucianism, order and
peace emanated from the top. Rulers
achieved order and harmony in their
kingdom when they abided by strict moral
codes and sought after virtues. These virtues
included humanness, filial piety, ritual,
humility, loyalty, and diligence.
• Confucius also taught that the safety of a
society depended on the people maintaining
and strengthening five key relationships.
Ruler to subject, father to son, husband to
wife, elder to younger, and friend to friend.
• The Analects is believed to have been
compiled by the disciples of Confucius around
2500 years ago, and has remained one of the
most influential texts in China to this day. This
text was written in order to provide people
with the teachings of the master.
• When considering the principles upon which
many Chinese people conduct the basis of
their life, the philosophy and teachings of
Confucius play a large role. Confucius believed
that through teaching one could change the
manner in which civilizations and governing
bodies conducted themselves. Although he
did not record many of his personal beliefs
and teachings, his students or disciples
compiled his teachings in The Analects
• Confucius saw growing chaos and due to
many injustices, he decided to develop a new
moral code. This was based on respect,
honesty, education, kindness and strong
family bonds. His teachings became the core
of religious and moral life in Ancient China
• Confucius lived during the Zhou Dynasty in
Ancient China. Confucius was born on
September 28th 551 BCE and died on
November 21st 479 BCE. He was born in the
state of Lu which is near the city of Qufu
today.
• Confucius is so well known because his sayings
and quotes have inspired others to do their
best. His teachings are still an important part
of Chinese Education today. Confucius
believed in respect, honesty, education,
kindness and strong family bonds. He
encouraged others to follow his beliefs and to
live in this way.
• The teachings of Confucius are focused on two
interrelated areas: Social Teachings, which
deal with the proper behavior of the
individual in society and to his fellow men,
and Political Teachings, which deal with the
art of governance and the proper relationship
of the Ruler to the ruled. He viewed education
as central to achieving proper conduct both
within Society and in Government.
 The Analects as Moral Guidelines
• The Analects, a collection of Confucius’s
conversations and teachings, strongly emphasizes
the importance of morality for the betterment of
oneself and society in general. The book lays out
several teachings for both commoners and rulers
to follow in the pursuit of morality. While some of
his teachings rely on idealism, others are very
practical. The values of Confucianism can easily
be used as moral guidelines and can still be
applied in today’s world.
 Filial Piety
One of the most important morals that
Confucius teaches is filial piety. He states that
“a young man should be filial within his home
and respectful of elders when outside”
(1.6). According to Confucius, being filial is
more than simply taking care of ones parents.
 Humility
• Humility is another moral trait taught by the
Analects. A person should “remain unsoured”
(1.1) that their merits go unnoticed, but to "be
concerned that [they] may not recognize
others” (1.16). This sentiment is repeated in a
later passage, where Confucius states, “do not
be concerned that no one recognizes you,
seek that which is worthy of recognition”
• Much of Confucius’s philosophy revolves
around the concept of ren, a term that
encompasses several positive character traits
such as benevolence and humanity. Filial piety
is also a large part of ren as it forms the
“roots” of the concept (1.2). Many passages
are dedicated to examining it and Confucius’s
disciples ask him whether or not various men
can be called ren. Confucius, however, shows
great wisdom by simply replying that he does
not know if a person is ren or not each time
he is asked.
• The ultimate goal of following the morals of
Confucianism is to become a gentleman,
or junzi. A junzi “aligns himself beside [what
is] right” (4.10) rather than the pursuit of
profit or personal gain, and is expected to be
filial, humble, and to have ren. Petty men
place value on personal gain, whereas a
gentleman “cherishes virtue”
• Despite the old age of Confucianism, the core
morals can still be used as a guideline for
one’s conduct. Disagreeing with an aspect or
two does not make the entire message any
less valid. Respect for parents and elders,
benevolence, and humility are character traits
that anyone can benefit from.
 “Respect yourself and others will
respect you”
• It emphasizes the importance of the so called
respect to an individual’s life. Respect starts
with respect for self. A person who respects
themselves is confident and has a positive
attitude. When you feel good about yourself,
it will in turn affect the way you treat other
people. The above statement of Confucius
means that when we learn to respect
ourselves truly we will not do anything that
shall embarrass and put us to shame.
 “It does not matter how slowly you
go, as long as you do not stop”
• Far too often we’re concerned with reaching
our destination. We want to do things as fast
as we can. We want to “make it” before we’ve
had the chance to think things through. The
problem is, when we don’t immediately find
the success we are looking for, we give up.
• Leonardo da Vinci, the master of his craft,
spent 3-4 years painting the Mona Lisa, and
still wasn’t done. Michelangelo, another great
master, took over two years to create the
statue of David. It took Disney and his crew 3
years to make Snow White. J.K. Rowling spent
five years planning out the seven books in the
Harry Potter series, and it took seven years
between coming up with the idea to
publishing her first book.
“The man who moved a mountain was the one
who began carrying away small stones”
• The trick with very ambitious goals like losing
weight or making lots of money is to take
things in small steps slowly but on a regular
basis, much like carrying away those small
stones a bit at a time. When giant goals are
broken down into small steps that can be
handled easily, the results of all those small
steps turn into giant goals being achieved over
time.
 “Our greatest glory is not in never
falling, but in rising every time we fall”
• Meaning:
Everyone makes mistakes and falls sometimes.
It is about how one reacts to and learns from
that mistake to make oneself a better person.
Truth:
If one was to just give up after they failed
there would be no glory in what they did. It is
about the hard work put in after the learning
that can lead one to glory.
 Master You said, “It is rare to find a per-son who is
filial to his parents and respectful of his elders, yet
who likes to oppose his ruling superior. And never has
there been one who does not like opposing his ruler
who has raised a rebellion. “ – Book 1 Ch 2
 “The Master said, ‘At fifteen I set my heart upon
learning. At thirty, I had planted my feet upon the
ground. At forty, I no longer suffer from complexities.
At fifty, I knew what were the biddings of Heaven. At
sixty, I heard them with docile ear. At seventy, I could
follow the dictates of my own heart; for what I
desired no longer overstepped the boundaries of
right.’”
-Book 2 Ch4 p.88
• It demonstrates that attaining the status of the
“gentleman” or “superior man” is a lifelong pursuit
achieved only through a sincere devotion to self-
cultivation. This quote also demonstrates that if such
devotion is carried out, one can follow his or her
heart’s desire without concern for moral quandaries,
as goodness will then be innate.
The Master said: If a man is not ren, what
can he do with li? If a man in not ren,
what can he do with music? –Book 3 Ch3
The Master said, Those who are not ren
cannot long dwell in straitened
circumstances, and cannot long dwell in
joy. The ren person is at peace with ren.
The wise person makes use of ren.
–Book 4 Ch2
“Tzu-kung said, ‘What I do not want others to do to
me, I have no desire to do to others.’ The Master
said, ‘Oh Ssu! You have not quite got to that point
yet.’” – Book 5, Ch 11, p.110
• Consider the importance of this concept of
reciprocity within the larger construct of
Confucianism. Benevolence, goodness, and virtue are
characteristics that Confucius presented as of the
highest importance. In order for a society to function
at its moral peak, it would been important for all its
members to extend such respect to one another so
that malevolence could not, in theory, become a
temptation.
 Men stay alive through straightforward conduct.
When the crooked stay alive it is simply a matter of
escaping through luck. –Book 6 Ch19
 The Master said, “First and foremost, be
faithful to your superiors, keep all promises.
Refuse the friendship of all who are not like
you; and if you have made a mistake, do not be
afraid of admitting the fact and amending your
ways.” –Book 9