The Analects of Confucius

Confucius - The Analects is a rather intriguing book since it aims to tackle information regarding the well known Confucius in a cogent manner.

The book is laid out in a fairly straight forward approach with no frills that's an extremely quick read.

Within the introductory section, there is some background material featured, while a tad later on the book features notes on particular translations that the book offers. Knowing how complex translations can be, it's a well-thought out approach to delineate what the book means by each translated term, instead of assuming that the reader will know. Not only that, but also, certain words have various meanings, so to be able to narrow down with precision what was stated is greatly appreciated.

For individuals seeking veritable gems of Confucius, this book has dozens of them.

Reading this book will certainly help the individual realize how the culture was at the time, and why the information presented here was so vital to the upbringing and society in ancient China.

The totality of the book is seamlessly interwoven to give you everything you need for comprehension, while not an iota more. This certainly helps since other books can be longwinded at times.

Taking all into account the book definitely belongs in the libraries of individuals who value such knowledge with resounding depth. Confucius was definitely a master of his craft, and this book exemplifies that quite trenchantly. ( )

I am now In the midst, so I steal a base by adding to my library. I note that Zai Yu, for sleeping during the day, is regarded by the master as "rotten wood that cannot be carved."

So any assessment of mine will naturally be defensive...

There was much less here than I expected. The Folio volume is very nice. ( )

Interesting, in parts. Elsewhere... confusing. Elsewhere... boring and re-re-repetitive.

The Analects is collection of aphorisms, fragmentary historical references, fragmentary literary references, and the occasional pearl of wisdom. On the one hand I find it hard to see how it has the status that it does, as a major work of philosophy. On the other hand, I see how, in attempting to piece together meaning and wisdom from the bits and saying here, it could take on that status: though one is forced to wonder, then, how much of Confucian wisdom is the reader's and how much was Master K'ung's.

Do not expect anything like a system per se. And be prepared for a incredible level of conservative pointing back to what, especially for an American reader unfamiliar with (now ancient) Chinese culture, is at best a dim outline. I've heard Confucius compared to Jesus, and that may actually be the more apt comparison, ignoring the mystical/religious part of Jesus: there is much moral and esoteric advice, but nothing like a philosophical system, metaphysics, physics , etc. ( )

A splendid version (by Edward Slingerland) of this classic with an extensive selection of historical commentaries by Confucian scholars as well as several useful appendices. This edition is extremely useful and readable. ( )