Characteristics Of Confucius

THE ANALECTS OF CONFUCIUS: BOOK 1

Definition:

The Analects (Lun-yü) is a compilation of moral and ethical principles expressed by the Chinese thinker Confucius (K’ung Fu-tzu) in conversations with his disciples. These principles set standards for individual manner and the management of the community and government.

Format and Years Written:

After Confucius died in 479 BC, his followers collected his teachings in the form of discussion between him and his students. The resulting anthologygreatly influenced educational, social, and cultural thought in China and somewhere else.

Literature of China:

The Analects has been one of the most extensively read and studied books in China for the last 2,000 years, and continues to have a important

27 or 28, 551 BC, in the state of Lu, now Shantung Province. The Chinese observe his birthday, called Teachers’ Day, on Sept. 28. The father of Confucius was said to have been a member of the nobility, but the K’ung family fell into poverty after his death, when Confucius was just three. In spite of his family’s financial problems, Confucius received a good education in music, arithmetic, calligraphy, and other disciplines. After marrying at age nineteen, he earned a living tending stable animals and keeping accounts for granaries. Then he became a philosopher and teacher.

In his later years, he spent his time interpreting classic Chinese literature. He died in 479 BC in his home province and was buried in the town of Qufu (also transliterated as Chü-fou and Kufow), the capital of the state of Lu in ancient times. A temple honoring Confucius and his disciples was built in 1724 on the site where his house once stood. Just outside the town is the tomb of Confucius and other members of the K’ung family.

Characters: Confucius and his

On the topic of family, the text starts to tackle with the topic of filial piety. Filial piety refers to the virtue of respect for one's parents or ancestors. The text presents the sense of obligation to one's parents as supreme. Only following one has guaranteed that their parents are taken care of can they go into other matters. Next, it states that the nurturing of one's personality is not exclusivelypursuedintellectually but through one's relationships with others. Ahuman being may not be mentally inclined but he would still regard them aseducated. c One's character is a better measurement of anindividual than his or her condition or