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Loading... The Analects of Confucius (Norton Paperback) (edition 1997)by Confucius
Work InformationThe Analects by Confucius
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i think the way to make this work is: 1) understand "ritual" as not the specific set of ancient chinese customs that kongzi reveres nor any set of traditional customs, but any kind of ritualized prayer / moral action that is done not with or without intention, but with as little effort and as much importance to life as breathing such that ur disposition finds a kind of peace. it seems that ritual is so important for kongzi is practice for the restraint and distance from the immediacy of a situation that allows for quick and effortless moral thinking. whether or not kongzi would agree is completely irrelevant; i cannot stand his bellyaching about the politics and youth of his day and this reads like he is attached to his own traditions in particular, though he does say the internal disposition they bring about is more important than anything else 2) expand filiality so that there is a supreme one to HEAVEN. which only means that nonsense like 4.18 goes away. this alone lifts kongzi out of what is a surprisingly strong, occasionally beautiful social morality (its sociality at times desecrates the unknowability etc that kongzi claims of his way) and into something religious anyway this guy is too culturally conservative for my liking, and his emphasis on ritual and filiality seems counterproductive to me 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 The Analects is collection of aphorisms, fragmentary historical references, fragmentary literary references, and the occasional pearl of wisdom.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. Compilado de máximas e ensinamentos curtos do mestre Confúcio, 500 anos A.C., tratando da conduta própria e justa, virtuosa porque comedida, atenta aos outros, reverente aos antigos, sincera, leal à família, estimadora dos amigos, inspiradora nas ações mais que nas palavras, valorosa dos rituais, e compremetida com o desprendimento apenas em uma medida prática, que acredita em um governo que deve dar exemplo e inspirar a correta conduta por meio de suas posições. I've been wanting to read this book for years. For some reason Confucius has sparked my interest. Earlier this year I got into philosophy again and remembered I'd wanted to read this book. Now having actually read this, I can say I find Confucius relaxing and enjoyable. Him and Machiavelli have become my favorite philosophers (odd combo I know). The translation I read by Annping Chin was wonderful and highly recommend this edition. Not only do you get the text, but you get more than enough commentaries, notes, and alternative translations. I like the fact she spent so much time trying to get the modern reader to understand the text with what other previous scholars and translators have said. She points out several times how translation is very important with Confucius. If this book didn't have all the notes and commentary I don't think I would enjoy it as much. Not only would I not understand it, but probably assume he wrote all the fortune cookies (bad joke, but without context some of his stuff does sound like fortune cookies). This book probably would only take a day or two for me to read without the notes as well. Just goes to show you some books need those long translation notes and some books (even ones I love) I thought needed better translators or a translator who actually cared about what they are translating. I do think this a book people should read at some point in their life. It talks a lot about manners, how to be a gentleman, and how to be learned. Sometime in the future I think I'll reread this. Not sure how one could get everything in one sitting. Confucius didn't write many words, but he had a wise mind. no reviews | add a review
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HTML: 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. .No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)181.112Philosophy and Psychology Ancient, medieval and eastern philosophy Asian Far East and South Asia China & Korea Confucianism and Neo-ConfucianismLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
Is this you?Become a LibraryThing Author. Penguin AustraliaAn edition of this book was published by Penguin Australia. Columbia University Press3 editions of this book were published by Columbia University Press. Editions: 9622019803, 0231104308, 0231141645 W.W. NortonAn edition of this book was published by W.W. Norton. |
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