The Analects

THE ANALECTSBalagot, Mara Lyndsy

Bardaje, Jeleen

Bardon, Danica

Dela Cruz, Alyana Ghay

Labalan, Jennifer

Sancha,

PSY4Y1-1

BACKGROUND/CONTEXT

• a collection of sayings and historical anecdotes embodying the basic values of the Confucian tradition: learning, morality, ritual decorum, and filial piety.

• believed to have been written during the Warring States period (475 BC–221 BC) in China

• a casual conversation between teacher and student, emphasizing the role of the individual in the attainment of knowledge.

• ANALECTS-Selections from or parts of a literary work or group of works

AUTHOR: CONFUCIUS

• an influential Chinese philosopher, teacher and political figure

• born in 551 B.C. in the Lu state of China (near present-day Qufu)

• His father died when Confucius was only three years old. Instructed first by his mother, Confucius then distinguished himself as a passionate learner in his teens.

• According to Records of the Historian, Confucius was born into a royal family of the Chou Dynasty. Other accounts describe him as being born into poverty. What is undisputed is that he existed during a time of ideological crisis in China.

• He died in 479 B.C.

AUTHOR: CONFUCIUS

• Confucius had served in minor government posts managing stables and keeping books for granaries.

• master of the six arts—ritual, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and arithmetic—and his familiarity with the classical traditions, notably poetry and history which enabled him to start his teaching career.

AUTHOR: MAJOR WORKS

• Rearrangement of the Book of Odes as well as a revision of the historical Book of Documents

• Compiled a historical account of the 12 dukes of Lu, called the Spring and Autumn Annals

• The Analects, which sets forth Confucius’ philosophical and political beliefs, is thought to be compiled by his disciples

CONFUCIANISM

• the way of life propagated by Confucius in the 6th–5th century bce and followed by the Chinese people for more than two millennia. Although transformed over time, it is still the substance of learning, the source of values, and the social code of the Chinese. Its influence has also extended to other countries, particularly Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

• The main principle of Confucianism is ren ("humaneness" or "benevolence"), signifying excellent character in accord with li (ritual norms), zhong (loyalty to one's true nature), shu (reciprocity), and xiao (filial piety). Together these constitute de (virtue).

CONFUCIANISM

• Confucianism is characterized by a highly optimistic view of human nature. The insistence that human beings are teachable, improvable, and perfectible through personal and communal endeavor.

The Analects

MAJOR CHARACTERS

• Master – Confucius

• Master Yu (Philosopher Yu) - appears almost entirely in Book I and may have had disciples of his own

• Master Tseng (Philosopher Tsang) - disciple is credited with a number of sayings. He likely became a leader in the Confucian community with his own disciples including Confucius’s grandson

• Tzu-Hsia - a revered disciple whom Confucius compliments for his grasp of the Book of Songs.

• Tzu-ch'in – a disciple of Confucius. Little is known of him.

THE ANALECTS: BOOK 1

• serves as a general introduction to the various disciples in the work.

• the text introduces what qualities are desirable in a human being and how morality can be reflected in one's behavior.


• 1-1. The Master said: “Isn't it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned? Isn't it also great when friends visit from distant places? If people do not recognize me and it doesn't bother me, am I not a noble man?”

• A noble man loves learning; seeks knowledge and understanding which attracts good, loyal friends.

• Learning is when one can apply what he knows.

• noble man - refers to a person who has made significant progress in the Way (dao) of self-cultivation.


• 1-2. Master Yu said: It is rare to find a person who is filial to his parents and respectful of his elders, yet who likes to oppose his ruling superior…

“…filial piety and fraternal submission!-- are they not the root of all benevolent actions?”

Filial piety - to love, respect and take care of one's parents

• A person’s respect and value to parents and elders is rooted and this is the very essence of human kindness. The disposition to do good.


• 1-3. The Master said, "Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.“

• Fair appearances are suspicious; no amount of fine words can ever cover a bad character.

• 1-4. How the philosopher Tsang daily examined himself as he dealt with other people around him. How he was able to apply what he has learned.

• Faithfulness to the Master’s teachings

• By reflecting on one’s faults and words can one bring themselves to improvement and make the development of character possible.


• 1-5. Talks about the fundamental principles for the government of a large state.

• 1-6. Rules for the training of the young:-- duty first and then accomplishments.

• A man’s sense of duty to one's parents always comes first. Only after one has ensured that their parents are taken care of can they pursue other matters, even if such things are the serious study of the pursuit of knowledge.


• 1-7. Development of one's character is not solely achieved through academic study but through one's relationships with others.

• A person may not be academically inclined but he would still consider them learned.

• Character is a better measurement of a person than intelligence


• 1-8. Principles of self-improvement

• Faithfulness and Sincerity

• Treat every friend you have as equals. Every friend you have is equal to yourself. No one is greater than the others.

• Accept that one can still make mistakes, and be willing to make amends for these mistakes immediately.


• 1-9. Giving proper regard and respect to parents even when they passed on.

• 1-10. Characteristics of The Master – Confucius

• 1-11. The concept of reverence for one's parents or ancestors after their death.

• Implies that In terms of the development of the character of the human being, if people cultivated filial piety well, all other natural forms of human goodness would be positively affected by it.


• 1-12. The concept of propriety which means any pattern of behavior appropriate to the situation.

• Flexibility is important.

• 1-13. One must think of his decisions before acting on it. This saves one from shame and regret.

• 1-14. A man who seeks the path to self-cultivation does not only satisfy the physical sense. He is to enrich himself by being careful in speech and diligent in his work.


• 1-15.

• "It is said in the Book of Poetry, 'As you cut and then file, as you carve and then polish.'

• Implies that embodying the ideals presented in Book 1 is a process unto itself in which one should never be fully satisfied. The path to self-cultivation extends forward, so there is always room for further refinement.

• Ends the Book 1 and introduces Book 2.

THEMES

• Filial Piety

Confucius saw a duty to one's parents and ancestors as instrumental in the cultivation of virtue and is expected to be carried out with true intent and concern.

• Learning

Should not be mistaken for education in the formal sense. It is continually pursuing of knowledge and wisdom as a means of constantly improving oneself.

THEMES

• Benevolence

Goodness; humaneness

mastering of this virtue paves the way to being the superior gentleman who is well educated and respected in society. Benevolence inspired men of the time to be great, to be accomplished, to be fit to cultivate oneself morally, and positively impact those around them to govern a state effectively.• The key is to observe the little things that leaders do in daily life that

evidence the quality of their thinking (mind) and leadership (behavior).

• The small acts of kindness and consideration that, when accumulated drop-by-drop over time, can turn around an individual, a company, or even a nation.

IN SUMMARY.. (THEMES)

• A man should lead an upright life, educate himself, and contribute to the betterment of society. The superior man, he says, respects elders, cultivates the friendship of good people, presides over his subordinates with a fair and even hand, continually educates himself, overflows with love for fellow human beings, and in general sets a good example for others to follow.

QUIZ

IDENTIFICATION

1. Known as The Master

2. a collection of sayings and historical anecdotes embodying the basic values of the Confucian tradition.

TRUE OR FALSE

3. Intelligence is a better measurement of a person than character.

4. A man’s utmost duty is to take care and love his parents.

5. Self-cultivation relies only on intellectual enrichment.

REFERENCES

• Eno, R. (2015). The Analects of Confucius

• Muller, Charles. The Analects of Confucius

http://www.acmuller.net/con-dao/analects.html

THANK YOU!!

The Analects

Documents

Transcript of The Analects