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The Analects of Confucius Paperback – July 27, 2021

by Confucius (Author), James Legge (Translator)

4.2 394 ratings

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The Analects of Confucius gathers the teachings or aphorisms of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551-479 BC). He discusses the morality of government and the individual, social relationships, justice and sincerity. The philosophical movement of confucianism sprang from the study of these writings.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09B7VW4LH
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (July 27, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 64 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8544552888
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.3 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.15 x 9 inches

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4.2 394 ratings

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4.2 out of 5

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Kiki Stamatiou

Such An Intriguing Book With Lots Of Depth

Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2015

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Very inspiring and enlightening philosophy. I read it from start to finish. Such an intriguing book with lots of depth. I was so enthralled by this book I couldn't put it down.

Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2012

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This book seems to be a standard translation and is fine to read. The translator has not added much to the original text and it is not annotated. Perfect if you just want to read the Master for free.

8 people found this helpful

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Christopher (o.d.c.)

The Master said, 'I will not be afflicted at men's not knowing me; I will be afflicted that I do not know men.'

Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2017

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A lot of reviewers have complained about the formatting of this e-book. It may be a little odd, but not impossible to deal with:

CHAP. III. The Master said, 'Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.' CHAP. IV. The philosopher Tsang said, 'I daily examine myself on three points:— whether, in transacting business for others, I may have been not faithful;— whether, in intercourse with friends, I may have been not sincere;— whether I may have not mastered and practised the instructions of my teacher.'

The whole work, which is less than 200 pp. long, is divided in to 20 books, with, as you can see, very short chapters.

Is the wisdom of Confucius all platitude? No, there are some really obscure remarks as well:

CHAP. XIII. 1. Wang-sun Chia asked, saying, 'What is the meaning of the saying, "It is better to pay court to the furnace than to the south-west corner?"' 2. The Master said, 'Not so. He who offends against Heaven has none to whom he can pray.'

CHAP. XI. Tsze-kung said, 'What I do not wish men to do to me, I also wish not to do to men.' The Master said, 'Ts'ze, you have not attained to that.'

Perhaps the wisdom is flattened out in translation. Perhaps there are ironies only scholars can recognize. Unlike one reader, who couldn't put it down, I found its fragmentary quality made it easy to pick up and put down whenever I felt like it. Was I wiser, having finished it? Perhaps, or perhaps not.

CHAP. XVIII. 1. The Duke of Sheh asked Tsze-lu about Confucius, and Tsze-lu did not answer him. 2. The Master said, 'Why did you not say to him,— He is simply a man, who in his eager pursuit (of knowledge) forgets his food, who in the joy of its attainment forgets his sorrows, and who does not perceive that old age is coming on?' CHAP. XIX. The Master said, 'I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there.' CHAP. XX. The subjects on which the Master did not talk, were— extraordinary things, feats of strength, disorder, and spiritual beings.

3 people found this helpful

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Zachary Littrell

Snapshot of Confucius (the good, the bad, and the confusing)

Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2019

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“He is no disciple of mine. My little children, beat the drum and assail him.”

There is some surprising moments tucked between Confucius's sage advice on becoming a 君子 (superior person). Maybe it's the translator's particularly odd word choices, but Confucius was certainly quotable:

* "My ear was an obedient organ for the reception of truth"

* "The accomplished scholar is not a utensil"

* "The filial piety nowadays means the support of one’s parents. But dogs and horses likewise are able to do something in the way of support"

Most of his advice is common sense, or generally good ideas: act right, seek knowledge, and treat people well and you'll be treated well in return. Basically, don't be an arse about the social contract.

What holds this back for me is two parts, and biggest is that it's hard to really understand without commentary. It's very fragmentary at times, and refers to people and states I don't know from Adam (it certainly doesn't help that Confucius refers to his disciples by multiple names).

The other problem is I just plain don't always agree with the often contradictory points of view. It seems like the writers of this, his followers, put very different messages in his mouth, like:

* "If he reach the age of forty or fifty, and has not made himself heard of, then indeed he will not be worth being regarded with respect.”

or

* "I will not be afflicted at men’s not knowing me; I will be afflicted that I do not know men."

Maybe there's a subtle difference, but more likely it's two guys who wanted Confucius to be a certain way -- either the strict arbiter of order, or the wise hermit sage.

Its flaws, though, make it fascinating as a view of both Confucius the man and the myth -- whatever his followers thought was important to know. And I love that at least one of them felt it essential to mention that, for all his propriety and self-restraint, he sure loved booze.

"It was only in wine that he laid down no limit for himself"

P.S.
The Kindle version of this, however, is straight up FRUSTRATING. The division of nearly each sentence into chapters is nonsensical. Why it's in such big letters I'll never know. It just interrupts the flow.

3 people found this helpful

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usmc_0311_94

Worth the read

Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2016

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seems easy to read in English and includes many introspective prospectives for the reader

Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2014

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It is always great to pick up a free/discount classic. The analects are worth a glance for readers interested in introspection and prompted analysis of governmental structures and social customs.

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kindle customer

"Confucius Say.." but did he really?

Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2015

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"Confcius Say...", but did he, really? Or was he misinterpreted? Are you confused about what he said and what he meant? This thin text raises the veil and exposes the truth of what Confucius really said. Your interpretation is aided by the commentaries inserted at key points. Don't be surprised if you find yourself doing double takes at his double entendres.

One person found this helpful

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I Teach Typing

A hard translation

Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2012

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I got a copy of this after discussing its ideas with a friend who has studied it in Chinese. I have taken a couple university level philosophy courses and I am fairly tolerant of complex writing styles. I tried to read this translation a few times and it is a *very* hard read. I found myself spending more time trying to figure out what the translation meant rather than focusing on what was being said. So, if you are a native English speaker and want to study Confucius get a different translation.

47 people found this helpful

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ABIGAIL SHAW UK

EXCELLENT***

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 19, 2024

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EXCELLENT***

marinella

interessante

Reviewed in Italy on April 15, 2023

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Interessante anche se impegnativo. Tradotto da James Legge, studioso ottocentesco scozzese missionario in Cina, che fu anche professore di cinese a Oxford e a cui si deve un importantie contributo allo studio della letteratura e della civiltà cinese.

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