The Analects (Everyman's Library) [Hardcover]

Confucius (Author), Arthur Waley (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001

(Book Jacket Status: Jacketed)

Confucius is one of the most humane, rational, and lucid of moral teachers, concerned not with arcane metaphysics but with practical issues of life and conduct. What is virtue? What sort of life is most conducive to happiness? How should the state be ruled? What is the proper relationship between human beings and their environment?

In this classic translation of The Analects by Arthur Waley, the questions Confucius addressed two and a half millennia ago remain as relevant as ever.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Confucius has become synonymous in the West with Eastern wisdom: profound and mysterious. He was, however, one of the most humane, lucid, and rational moral teachers of the ancient world, concerned not with arcane metaphysics or invisible gods but with the practical issues of life and conduct. How should the state be organized? What makes a good ruler? What is virtue? What is the proper relationship between man and nature? Above all, how should individuals behave with one another and toward their environment?
Confucius addressed all these questions in dialogues, stories, and anecdotes gathered together as The Analects, which offers not lofty moral prescriptions but sensible advice based on principles of justice and moderation. So timeless was his thinking that even now, after two and a half thousand years, The Analects remains one of the most influential texts ever written.

About the Author

Arthur Waley (1889_1966) is highly regarded for his many translations of Chinese and Japanese literature.
Sarah Allan teaches classical Chinese and Chinese philosophy at Dartmouth College.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Everyman's Library (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375412042
• ISBN-13: 978-0375412042
• Product Dimensions: 4.9 x 1 x 8.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #424,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions > Confucianism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Lun Yu, the Analects of Confucius, should be in Everyman's Library., December 3, 2006

By 

Butch (From the American Heartland.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Analects (Everyman's Library) (Hardcover)

There seems to be some confusion here by some of the Reviewers about this translation of the Lun Yu--the Analects of Confucius--of Kong Zi.

The Everyman's Library edition is the respected Arthur Waley translation from 1938. Look inside the book at the Copyright page provided by Amazon and there you will see that this is the Arthur Waley translation. Or you can go to the Everyman's Library website at Random House if you prefer.

For the money you can't beat this copy of the Analects. Hard Cover (Cloth) for the price of a paperback. There may be more easily readable translations, but there is something to be said for having to stop and think about what has been said where a book of wisdom is concerned.

If you only have one copy of the Analects, this is a very good one to have. The Analects are the sayings and quotes of the proverbial wisdom of Confucius and his followers. Literally "The Discussion Over Confucius' Words".

"When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them".

1 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fine to help understand China, but otherwise...., June 2, 2009

By 

Joseph M. Powers (South Bend, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Analects (Everyman's Library) (Hardcover)

I read this on the plane to China. For me the best part was the excellent introduction in the Everyman edition. It helped me understand Chinese history and The Master's place in it, as well as summarize his philosophy and advice for how to run an empire. As for the work itself, it seemed a bit thin to me, but I am sure there are reasons those more expert than me could explain. It can be read very quickly; of course if you want to become an expert (which I didn't), a close read would probably reveal more joy than I found.

3 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars disappointing, October 3, 2008

By 

Consumer extraordinaire (Detroit) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Analects (Everyman's Library) (Hardcover)

There is nothing new here if you have already read the Tao and Epictetus. You can argue this came first (I am not sure of the exact time-line between this and the Tao), but the truth is both sources have more of value. This book has a few gems of ideas that are also found in one or both of the other books, buried in a lot of irrelevant stories of people, mostly students, that are not especially interesting or helpful.

I would read the Tao if you're looking for eastern philosophy, and Epictetus for the ancient western view, whether you're interested in helpful life guidance or simply the history of philosophy; either or both have more of value in my opinion than the Analects.

Tao Te Ching (Everyman's Library)

The Discourses of Epictetus - The Handbook - Fragments (Everyman's Library)