Main Contents in Each Chapter of ¡°Analects of Confucius
Chapter 1
It discusses the basic and most fundamental things in life.
It shows the way for the beginners into the ¡°door of morality.¡±
¡°Analects of Confucius¡± in bamboo slips
Most popular saying:
¡°It is indeed a pleasure to acquire knowledge and, as you go on acquiring, to put into practice what you have acquired. A greater pleasure still it is when friends of congenial minds come from afar to seek you because of your attainments. ¡±
Chapter 2
It discusses the theory and method in attending to state affairs.
The cover of the Analects printed by a municipality
Most popular saying:
¡°At fifteen I had made up my mind to give myself up to serious studies. At thirty I had formed my opinions and judgment. At forty I had no more doubts. At fifty I understood the truth in religion. At sixty I could understand whatever I heard without exertion. At seventy I could follow whatever my heart desired without transgressing the law.¡±
Chapter 3
Confucius¡¯ comments on rites and music.
Dancing in eight columns in a ritual in seal script
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A young man should be a good son at home and an obedient young man abroad, sparing of speech but trust-worthy in what he says, and should love the multitude at large but cultivate the friendship of his fellow men. If, after all these activities, he has any energy to spare, let him use it to making himself cultivated.
Chapter 4
Mainly elaborates the concepts of kindly sympathy and morality.
Neighborhood activities
Most Popular Saying:
The gentleman is versed in what is moral. The small man is versed in what is profitable.
Chapter 5
Mainly comments on outstanding figures in the past and at his time; and their gains and losses.
A page in Chapter 5
Most Popular Saying:
Cunning words, an ingratiating countenance and utter servility, these things Zuo Qiuming found shameful. I, too, find them shameful. To be friendly towards someone while concealing a sense of grievance, this Zuo Qiuming found shameful. I, too, find it shameful.
Chapter 6
It records the Master¡¯s comments on some of his disciples.
The words on how to be a gentleman
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When there is a preponderance of native substance over acquired refinement, the result will be churlishness. When there is a preponderance of acquired refinement over native substance, the result will be pedantry. Only a well-balanced admixture of the two will result in gentlemanliness.
Chapter 7
It records what the Master was most concerned with in his life.
The master said he didn¡¯t realize he was aging (in seal script)
Most Popular Saying:
Even when walking in the company of two other men, I am bound to be able to learn from them. The good points of the one I copy, the bad points of the other I correct in myself.
Chapter 8
It mainly records how Confucius and Z¨¦ng Z¨« commented on some ancient figures.
Comments on some historical figures
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How toweringly high and surpassingly great in moral grandeur was the way by which the ancient Emperors Shun and Yu came to the government of the Empire, and yet they themselves were unconscious of it.
Chapter 9
It mainly records remarks by Confucius, the way he conducted himself. What he advocated and what he opposed.
How fast time passes
Most Popular Saying:
Confucius once standing by a stream, remarked, ¡°How all things in nature are passing away even like this,--ceasing neither day nor night.¡±
Chapter 10
It mainly records speech and deportment of Confucius, his clothing, food, shelter and travel, and his habits in life.
A daily life scene
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AT table, while eating he would not speak. When in bed he would not talk¡In ordinary life, unless the mat used as a cushion was properly and squarely laid, he would not sit on it.
Chapter 11
It mainly records his remarks on education and his comments on his disciples.
Confucius learning ritual ceremony from Lao Zi
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Ji Lu asked how the spirits of the dead and the gods should be served. The Master said, ¡°You are not able even to serve man. How can you serve the spirits?¡± ¡°May I ask about death?¡± ¡°You do not understand even life. How can you understand death?¡±
Chapter 12
It mainly records how Confucius teach his students the application of kindly sympathy and moral values, how to work in the government and how to behave in the society.
The master is lecturing
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When going out into the world, behave always as if you were at an audience before the Emperor; in dealing with the people, act as if you were at worship before God. Whatsoever things you do not with that others should do unto you, do not do unto them.Chapter 13
It mainly records his remarks on how to be a gentleman and how to conduct government.Discussions with his disciples
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In dealing with yourself, be serious; in business, be earnest; in intercourse with other men, be conscientious. Although you may be living among barbarians and savages, these principles cannot be neglected.Chapter 14
It mainly records remarks he and his disciples made on cultivation and their comments on ancient figures.
The master is conducting a class
Most Popular Saying:
A wise and good man looks upwards in his aspirations; a fool looks downwards.
Chapter 15
It mainly records remarks by Confucius and his disciples on running a state with virtue when they traveled the states.
A Big Class Session
Most Popular Saying:
A gentleman of spirit or a man of moral character will never try to save his life at the expense of his moral character: he prefers to sacrifice his life in order to save his moral character.
Chapter 16
It mainly records his remarks on cultivation and how to run the state with propriety.
The master promotes his ideas
Most Popular Saying:
There are three kinds of friendship which are beneficial and three kinds which are injurious. Friendship with upright men, with faithful men, and with men of much information: such friendships are beneficial. Friendship with plausible men, with men of insinuating manners, and with glib-tongued men: such friendships are injurious.
Chapter 17
It mainly records his remarks on the kindly sympathy and morality and his way of conducting the government by rites and music.
A Statute
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There are five things and whoever is capable of putting them into practice in the Empire is certainly ¡°benevolent¡±¡they are respectfulness, tolerance, trustworthiness in word, quickness and generosity.
Chapter 18
It mainly records the deeds of ancient saints and Confucius¡¯ remarks during his travel to states.
Words in this chapter in seal script
Most Popular Saying:
I have no course for which I am predetermined, and no course against which I am predetermined.
Chapter 19
It mainly records how Confucius and his disciples tried to pursue learning and how the disciples respected their master.
An image of the master
Most Popular Saying:
Zi Gong said, ¡°Confucius can never be abused. The moral and intellectual endowments of other men as compared with those of Confucius are as hillocks and mounds which you may climb over. But Confucius is like the sun and moon. You can never jump over them. You may break your neck in trying to do it, but the sun and moon will remain as they are.
Chapter 20
It mainly records remarks made by ancient saints and Confucius¡¯ thoughts on government affairs.
Picture taking with the master¡¯s statue
Most Popular Saying:
A man has no way of becoming a gentleman unless he understands Destiny; he has no way of taking his stand unless he understands the rites; he has no way of judging men unless he understands words.
