The Analects of Confucius is a work of philosophy which has had a profound influence on Chinese society and the Chinese people throughout the country's long history, and continues to exert its impact today. For more than 2,000 years this remarkable man and his remarkable career, and this remarkable work of philosophy have occupied a prominent place in the history and culture of China and in the mentality of its people. The present book introduces the life ofConfucius and the main ideas of the Analects. It is divided into seven chaptersdealing respectively with the sage's life story, and his ideas on education,rationality and emotion, self-restraint and the restoration of the Rites, benevolence, governing by non-action and the gentleman
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 The Life of Confucius 1. Reaching the Summit of His Career 2. Journeying Through the Stales 3. The Final Years 4. Why Didn't Confucius Hand Down His Own Writings? 5. His Important Contributions to Thought 6. Confucius' Political Ideas Chapter 2 Confucius' Concept of Education 1. Education for All and Tailored Instruction 2. Lifelong Education 3. Teaching and Learning Go Hand-in-hand 4. Preaching and Education for a Better World 5. Confucius' Famous Disciples Chapter 3 Ethics and Kinship Ties 1. Filial Piety and Fraternal Affection 2. Forming Friendships 3. The Golden Mean Chapter 4 Exercising Self-restraint and Restoring the Rites 1. Breaking Away from the Fetters of the Rites of Zhou 2. Inheriting and Developing the Various Kinds of Ceremony Chapter 5 Benevolence 1. Benevolence Means Love for Others 2. How Does One Practice True Benevolence? 3. Benevolence in the Political Domain 4. The Meaning of Benevolent Rule Chapter 6 Government by Non-action 1. The Meaning of Government by Non-action 2. Protecting the Interests of the People 3. Not Exceeding the Realm of the Way and Virtue Chapter 7 The Gentleman 1. Breaking Free from the Bonds of Status 2. Unity of Thought and Action 3. The Difference between the Gentleman and the Petty Man 4. Magnanimity 5. Sincerity 6. Overcoming Weaknesses 7. Self-reflection 8. Self-cultivation
