Chinese Culture

This chapter starts with a statement made by the Sage Emperor Yao of an- tiquity, hence 尧 曰 (Yao Yue). Unlike other chapters in the Analects, this one consists of only three sections, albeit unusually lengthy ones, except for Section 20.3. As the concluding chapter of the book, these three sections are certainly significant. They reiterate the importance of recog...

This chapter uses Zizhang as the title. Zizhang was one of the major disci­ pies of Confucius and also one of the twelve most renowned Confucian phi­ losophers ( 孔门十二哲 k6 ng m的 s hf 扫 zh 句 after Confucius died in 479 BC. The chapter has 25 sections. The chapter is significant in that it shows the reader how Confucius'major disciples, such as Zizhang, Zixia, Zigon...

The title of this chapter consists of two characters, "微子 Weizi," which were selected from the first line of the chapter. The focus of this chapter is on Confucius'discussion of how moral disintegration and the depraved government gave rise to a large number of "mad" hem讥s, sage recluses, and virtuous men who chose to sacrifice their own interests, and so on. T...

The two characters "阳货" (Yang Huo) were taken from the first line of the chapter. Yang Huo was a governor officer in the family of 季 孙 氏 (Jisun Shi), which was one of the three most powerful aristocratic families in the State of Lu and which controlled the governmental affairs. Because of his corrupted and devious moral character, Confucius disliked him and avoid...

The title of this chapter consists of two characters, " 季氏" (Jishi), which were selected from the first line of the chapter: "季氏将伐颜臾 jl shl jiang f6 zhuan yu." (Jishi was planning to attack Zhuanyu.)"季氏" (Jishi) refers to "季孙" (Ji Sun) who was the most powerful of the three aristocratic fami­ lies in the State of Lu, which controlled the government affairs. Jishi...

This chapter uses " 卫 灵 公 Weilinggong"(Duke Ling of Wei) as its title. According to Confucius, Duke Ling of Wei was not a good prince, and this view has probably influenced historians'negative evaluation of him. For instance, in Chapter XIV, Confucius talked about how devious his actions were. Interestingly enough, though he was not a good ruler, Duke Ling of We...

The title of this chapter is derived from the first two characters " 宪 问 ” (Xianwen) in the beginning line of the first section. " 宪 Xian" refers to "原宪 Yuan Xian" who was one of the major disciples of Confucius. "原宪Yuan Xian" had a courtesy name of "子思 Zisi". He was also known as "原思 Yuan Si" and "原仲宪 Yuan Zhongxian". It is traditionally believed that Yuan Xian...

This chapter was named after Zilu, one of Confucius'leading disciples. His name was Zhong You (仲由）.Zilu (子路） and Jilu (季路） were his cour­ tesy names. Of Confucius'seventy-two disciples, Zilu perhaps had the most idiosyncratic character. Resolute, resourceful, faithful, filial, and courageous (if not entirely recklessly bold), Zilu impressed Confucius with his m...

This chapter was named after Yan Yuan, a favorite disciple of Confucius. His name was Yan Hui, and his courtesy name was 子渊 (Ziyuan). Yan Yuan (颜渊 ） is a combination of both his surname and his courtesy name. He also had an honorific name, 颜子 (Yan Zi), meaning Master Yan. Confucius was deeply impressed by Yan Yuan's unfailing enthusiasm for and commitment to le...

The title "先进" (Xianjin) comes from the first line of Section 1. Literarily, the two characters "先进" (Xianjin) translate as "predecessor." Set against the context, they mean "those who studied rituals and music before becom­ ing officials." Consisting of twenty-six sections, this chapter illustrates, among others, the Confucian Doctrine of the Mean, or the Middl...

This chapter starts with the two characters "乡党"(Xiangda ng) which ap­ pear in the first line of Section 1, and translate as "hometown." Consisting of 27 sections, the chapter describes Confucius as a man of perfect virtue who conducts himself in accordance with the rites of propriety一especially in regard to the way he pays tribute to princes, interacts with minis...

As in other chapters of the Analects, this one starts with the chapter's first two characters "子罕 ' (Zihan) as its title. Literarily " 子罕 ' (Zihan) means "seldom did and/or seldom does Confucius do ... " Consisting of thirty- one sections, this chapter focuses primarily on the philosophy of Confucian education. In addition, it also records some of the significant activ...

This chapter consists of twenty-one sections, in which Confucius extols the Sage Emperors Yao, Shun, and Yu, whom he considered to be morally con­ summate. Additionally, Confucius elaborates on his ideas regarding educa­ tion and learning. The chapter also discusses the views of Zeng Zi, an emi­ nent disciple of Confucius, which emphasizes the importance of actin...

This chapter has thirty-eight sections and focuses on Confucius'discussions on the concepts of virtue, benevolence, self-cultivation, learning and educa­ tion. That this chapter is frequently quoted by Confucian scholars through­ out Chinese history indicates its importance. Two of the most memorable quotes from this chapter are "三人行必有我师 的n 怡n xfng, bl you w6 sh...

＂雍Yong" was a disciple of Confucius. As mentioned in our discussion of Chapter I, the strategy of using one or two characters from the first line of an essay or a book as the title for the work is characteristic of classical Chinese writing and this chapter features the same style. Chapter Six has thirty sec­ tions and in it, Confucius discusses, among other impor...

This chapter was named after Gongye Chang, an eminent disciple of Confu­ cius. The Master appreciated Gongye's virtuous deeds so much that he mar­ ried his daughter off to him. Consisting of 28 sections, the chapter focuses on various aspects of virtue and moral development.

The two characters "里仁,(IT 伦 n) were taken from the first section in the chapter: 里仁为美， meaning "What makes a neighborhood excellent and beautiful is its decency of virtue." Chapter IV consists of twenty-six sections, and covers a wide range of topics including righteousness, profitability, morality, cultivation, filial piety, while examining the differences between 君子Junzi (th...

" A f付" (Bayi) was an imperial dance format, officially prescribed only for the royal family in the court during the Zhou Dynasty (11th cent. -221 BCE). Consisting of 26 sections, this chapter focuses primarily on the topic of the rules of propriety and institutional rituals, as well as the critical importance of preserving and enacting these rituals in maintaining soci...

This chapter, which consists of 24 sections, discusses the art of governance in its various aspects. Good government is, according to Confucius, one that governs with moral exemplars and benevolence. More specifically, good government guides people with the rules of propriety and thus boosts their morale. This chapter also reveals Confucius'thoughts on learning, self­...

The title of this chapter consists of two characters, "学而" (xue'er), which were selected from the first line of the chapter: "学而时习之，不亦说乎？” This strategy of using one or two characters from the first lines of an essay or a book as the title for the work is typical of classical writings in ancient China. The following chapters in the Analects all employ this style...