Review of the Analects of Confucius

The Analects of Confucius is a collection of the teachings of Confucius, the great Chinese philosopher and thinker who lived between 551 BC. C. and 479 a. C.

Presented as a series of speeches and dialogues that Confucius had with his disciples, The Analects of Confucius was written by his disciples several years after his death. The Analects consists of 20 books (chapters) and is essentially a rule book of life. As I read this rulebook, it reminded me of the 13 virtues of Benjamin Franklin: temperance, silence, order, resolve, frugality, industriousness, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility.

As in the case of the Franklin Virtues, some of the rules in Confucius’ rulebook are no longer relevant today, but I also appreciated reading The Analects of Confucius in the same way that I appreciated reading The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin because some gems of wisdom are found scattered throughout both texts.

Below are some of the things that stood out to me. Although I was not always comfortable with the language, I am well aware of when The Analects of Confucius was written. I’m sure your list would be different.

1. Confucius said: “Those who are born with the possession of knowledge are the highest class of men. Those who learn, and so easily obtain the possession of knowledge, are the following. Another class after these. As for those who are clumsy and stupid and yet they do not learn; they are the lowest of the people. “
2. The philosopher Tsang said: “I examine myself daily on three points: yes, in doing business for others, I could not have been faithful; yes, in relationships with friends, I could not have been sincere; if I could not have mastered and practiced my teacher’s instructions. “
3. The philosopher Yu said, “When agreements are made according to what is right, what is said can be done well. When respect is shown according to what is right, one is kept away from shame and disgrace. When the parts a man leans on are the right people for intimacy, he can make them his guides and teachers. “
4. “Seeing what is right and not doing it is worthless.”
5. The Master said: “Have fidelity and sincerity as first principles. Do not have friends who are not equal to you. When you have faults, do not be afraid to abandon them.”
6. Tsze-chang asked what the characteristics of the good man were. The Master said: “He does not follow in the footsteps of others, but also, he does not enter the chamber of the sage.”
7. The Master said, “When the internal examination reveals nothing wrong, what is there to worry about, what is there to fear?”
8. The Master said: “Do not want things to be done quickly; do not look at the small advantages. The desire for things to be done quickly prevents them from being done thoroughly. Looking at the small advantages prevents great things from being accomplished.”

The Analects of Confucius are easy to read because they are not very long. Click here to download an online version of the book. I am sure that after reading it you will find your own jewels of wisdom. So what did I get from reading The Analects of Confucius? Acting with courage and integrity, being thorough, charting your own path, and continually learning are some of the gems I identified.