Booked on Tuesdays: The Analects of Confucius
September 13th, 2011 | 
Author: From time-to-time I revisit books that I have read and their summaries/reviews that I wrote to see if anything has changed. While I was thinking about The Analects of Confucius, it struck me that Confucius was the circle leader for a mentoring circle. Even though Confucius was a sage, he also listened to what his disciples had to say. It was a give and take relationship and both mentor and mentees grew as people from their interactions with each other.
The Analects of Confucius is a collection of the teachings of Confucius, the Chinese philosopher and great thinker who lived 551 BC – 479 BC. “The Analects concern themselves more with the development of virtue or moral character as a way of ensuring both good government and the self-improvement of the individual.”
Presented as a series of discourses and dialogues that Confucius had with his disciples, The Analects of Confucius was written by his disciples several years after he died. The Analects consists of 20 Books (Chapters) and is essentially a rulebook of life. While reading this rulebook, it reminded me of Benjamin Franklin‘s 13 Virtues: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility.
Just as it is in the case of Franklin’s virtues, some of the rules in Confucius’ rulebook are no longer relevant today, but I also appreciated reading The Analects of Confucius the same way that I appreciated reading The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin because some gems of wisdom are scattered throughout both texts.
The Analects of Confucius also reminded me of Don Miguel Ruiz‘s Four Agreements:
- Be Impeccable with Your Word
- Don’t Take Anything Personally
- Don’t Make Assumptions
- Always Do Your Best
Confucius was big on knowledge and learning, very much into practical knowledge. He advised his disciples to build a solid foundation starting with the fundamentals, and that’s relevant for everyone today. Master the fundamental knowledge in your field, then build on that, and that’s how you become the go-to-it person in your field. Confucius recommends that we emulate the good qualities that we see in others, and the qualities we deem unsatisfactory, to correct them in ourselves. He also urges us to be conscientious, sincere and apologize when we have made a mistake.
The Analects of Confucius deals a lot with virtue, which Confucius defines as “the denial of self and response to what is right is right and proper.” He also says to practice the golden rule which is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Below are some of the things which stood out for me. Though I was not always comfortable with the language, I am very mindful of when The Analects of Confucius was written. I am sure that your list would be different.
- Confucius said, “Those who are born with the possession of knowledge are the highest class of men. Those who learn, and so readily get possession of knowledge, are the next. Those who are dull and stupid, and yet compass the learning, are another class next to these. As to those who are dull and stupid and yet do not learn; they are the lowest of the people.”
- The philosopher Tsang said, “I daily examine myself on three points: whether, in transacting business for others, I may have been not faithful; whether, in intercourse with friends, I may have been not sincere; whether I may have not mastered and practiced the instructions of my teacher.”
- The philosopher Yu said, “When agreements are made according to what is right, what is spoken can be made good. When respect is shown according to what is proper, one keeps far from shame and disgrace. When the parties upon whom a man leans are proper persons to be intimate with, he can make them his guides and masters.”
- “To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.”
- The Master said, “Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles. Have no friends not equal to yourself. When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.”
- Tsze-chang asked what were the characteristics of the good man. The Master said, “He does not tread in the footsteps of others, but moreover, he does not enter the chamber of the sage.”
- The Master said, “When internal examination discovers nothing wrong, what is there to be anxious about, what is there to fear?”
- The Master said, “Do not be desirous to have things done quickly; do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.”
Confucius Quotables
- “Learning without thinking is useless. Thinking without learning is dangerous.
- He who keeps on reviewing his old and new knowledge may become a teacher of others.
- The wise man desires to be slow to speak, but quick to act.
- Learn as if you were not reaching your goal, and as though you were afraid of missing it.
- He who demands much from himself and little from others will avoid resentment.
- If a man put duty first and success after, will not that improve his character?
- When you make a promise consistent with what is right, you can keep your word.
- The man of honour thinks of his character, the inferior man of his position. The man of honour desires justice, the inferior man favour.”
The Analects of Confucius is easy to read because it’s not very long. Click here to download an online version of the book. I am sure that after reading it you will find your own gems of wisdom. So what did I get from reading The Analects of Confucius? Act with courage and integrity, be thorough, chart your own path and learn continuously, are a few of the gems I identified. I recommend that you give The Analects of Confucius 
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