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Religious Literature ---- > Analects of Confucius
Analects of Confucius Summary and Main Ideas from selected chapters.
The Analects of Confucius, (or the sayings of Confucius), come from his teachings on matters of managing society. It communicates his philosophy on proper behavior, the ethical and social attitude changes that promote families and society in general.
Confucius's main philosophical ideas came as a result of the individual self-interest, social anarchy and political chaos of his time. What he was looking for was something that would make a permanent long lasting change on attitudes. Confucianism approaches life from an ethical approach.
After researching and reflecting on what he saw in the earlier Chou Dynasty as being successful, Confucius concluded that tradition was the means and mechanism to change the cycle and patterns of destruction. He felt that prompting people’s hearts was the way to solicit cooperation. Deliberate tradition if attended to correctly would help maintain social order, and then once the proper patterns were put into place, they could be easily passed down from generation the generation. Once tradition took hold, peer / group pressure would provide enough discomfort control behavior.
Vol. 1, Book 1, chapters 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 13, 14 (Fundamental Principles)
Chapter 1:
Explains how one should acquire and constantly seek knowledge. It is delightful to have others desire your experience, however one really doesn't require recognition.
Chapter 2:
Explains how one who has respect for elders is not a troublemaker. Character is the result of unselfish motives and devoting oneself to the fundamentals.
Chapter 4:
Explains that it's good to examine oneself daily by asking questions such as “am I being conscious of others, sincere in my ways and one who does what he has been taught?”
Chapter 6:
Explains how one should serve and be respectful, true and good to all. Then afterwards if there is time left over, pursue studies. It provides a glimpse of the priority of what is important.
Chapter 7:
Explains how one who is really educated is one who converts ones thoughts to that of moral excellence. After doing so it results in character/attitudes changes, for examples one now serves his parents, his ruler and would be willing to lay down his life for the cause or someone else, even his interaction with friends become true and sincere.
Chapter 13:
Explains how it's easy to keep your word when you commit to what is right. There is no room for shame or disgrace when you show all respect. Only a trustworthy person is one who won't fail you.
Chapter 14:
One who is diligent in what he does, guards his speech, directs his affairs well, is one who doesn't seek personal gratification.
Vol. 1, Book 2, chapters 1, 3, 11, 15,17 (Government, ruling.)
Chapter 1:
Explains how one who strives for moral excellence will be well regarded.
Chapter 3:
Discusses how it is better to govern by ones character and excellence, as the result will be order and dutiful conduct of the subjects. To lead only by laws protected by penalties will only lead to avoidance of the penalties. In other words its more about conformance than attitude or character change.
Chapter 11:
Explains how a teacher is defined as one who continues to learn from past lessons as well as any new ones he comes upon.
Chapter 15:
Discusses that in order to learn, one really needs to engage one’s mind in thinking. Doing something without thinking is dangerous.
Chapter 17:
Discusses how knowledge is actually the recognition that a thing is really known by you. To only pretend to know something is bad.
Vol. 2, Book 4, chapters 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 24 (Virtues)
Chapter 4:
Explains that for one to avoid doing evil, one should set his/her mind on virtue.
Chapter 9:
Explains that obtaining wisdom is higher and greater than obtaining or going after material things.
Chapter 10:
Explains that there will be no prejudices in that which is right.
Chapter 11:
Explains that one should think of character and not position. One should desire justice and not favor.
Chapter 12:
Explains that harboring self interests will only bring contempt from others.
Chapter 16:
Explains how the wise will do what is right versus concentrating on obtaining material gains.
Chapter 24:
Explains that one should not just complain or talk about something, rather take action as action will speak.
Vol. 4, Book 7, chapters 6, 15, 26; (The Characteristics of the Master)
Chapter 6:
Explains that as you keep your mind on following the way, one needs to hold fast to ones moral character, and to be kind to others.
Chapter 15:
Discusses how contentment with little is better than wealth obtained wrongly.
Chapter 26:
Explains that one should not overindulge or take advantage of others or situations.
Vol. 7, Book 14, chapters 21, 24, 25 (Government and rulers)
Chapter 21:
Explains how it is difficult to perform rightly when one doesn't speak modestly.
Chapter 24
Discusses how on with a noble mind works his way upward, whereas one with an inferior mind works his way downward.
Chapter 25
Explains how one today should study to help others, whereas teachers of old only studied for their self-interests and personal gain.