The second, a standard 19th century English translation by Oxford orientalist James Legge, suffers from acidification. The first, 'A Complete Collection of the Four Books and the Five Classics,' a rare printing that dates to the Yung-lo Period of the Ming Dynasty (1403-1424), is in near pristine condition. Gifford also directed the audience's attention to two editions of the Analects supplied by the Asian Division for display. Tu, noting that his address was the first in this year's Bradley series, a program devoted to the critique of important texts of political and social thought, to focus on 'a work created outside the Atlantic world.' Mr. Director of Scholarly Programs Prosser Gifford introduced Mr. 26 to a capacity audience in the Library's Montpelier Room. Tu presented his lecture, 'Personal Knowledge, Moral Community and Spiritual Transformation: Reading the Confucian Analects, on Feb. Recorded after Confucius's death, misunderstood and maligned in the West, and denounced during the Cultural Revolution, the Confucian Analects, Professor Tu argued, nevertheless reflect a coherent, humanistic philosophy unrivaled for its sustained influence on a large number of people.

Burton Watson's concise translation uses the pinyin romanization system and keeps explanatory notes to a minimum, yet his intimate knowledge of the Confucian tradition and precise attention to linguistic detail capture the original text's elegance, cogency, and wit.Historian, philosopher and educator Tu Wei-Ming analyzed one of the world's oldest works of social thought, the Analects of Confucius, in the Bradley Lecture series.

The single most influential philosophical work in all of Chinese history, The Analects of Confucius has shaped the thought and customs of China and neighboring countries for centuries. He also discusses ancestor worship and other rites performed for the spirits of the dead. Filled with humor and sarcasm, it reads like a casual conversation between teacher and student, emphasizing the role of the individual in the attainment of knowledge and the value of using historical events and people to illuminate moral and political concepts.Ĭonfucius's teachings focus on cultural and peaceful pursuits and the characteristics of benevolent and culturally distinguished government. Reflecting the model eras of Chinese antiquity, the Analects offers valuable insights into successful governance and the ideal organization of society. Compiled by disciples of Confucius in the centuries following his death in 479 B.C.E., The Analects of Confucius is a collection of aphorisms and historical anecdotes embodying the basic values of the Confucian tradition: learning, morality, ritual decorum, and filial piety.

Understanding the analects of confucius