Analects

Analects, also known by its Chinese title Lunyu, is a collection of sayings and ideas attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius (Kongzi) and his early followers. It is one of the central texts of Confucianism and has profoundly influenced East Asian thought, education, and moral philosophy.

Traditionally, the Analects was compiled by Confucius’s disciples after his death. Modern scholarship generally places the final form of the text in the late Warring States period or early Han dynasty, with estimates ranging roughly from the 4th to the 2nd centuries BCE.

The work comprises twenty books, arranged as a series of short passages in dialogue or anecdotal form. Topics include virtue, proper conduct in personal and public life, education, ritual, and governance. Core concepts recur throughout the text, including ren (benevolence or humaneness), li (ritual propriety), xiao (filial piety), and the ideal of the junzi (the virtuous gentleman or superior person). The Analects emphasizes self-cultivation, ethical leadership, and the importance of learning and reflection.

Influence: As a foundational Confucian text, the Analects has shaped moral and political thought, social norms, and civil service education in China and across East Asia for centuries. It has been translated into many languages and interpreted by scholars, educators, and readers worldwide. It is traditionally considered one of the Four Books that structure classical Confucian education.