The Teachings of Confucius - Special Edition [Paperback]

Confucius (Author), James H. Ford (Editor), James Legge (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 2005

The teachings of the great Chinese philosopher Confucius have had as great an impact on the culture of the Far East as The Bible has had on the culture of the West. As presented here, The Teachings of Confucius consists of "The Analects," "The Great Learning" and "The Doctrine of the Mean."

Editorial Reviews

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Analects

Book 1, Hsio R

The Master said, "Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application?
"Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters?
"Is he not a man of complete virtue, who feels no discomposure though men may take no note of him?"

The philosopher Yu said, "They are few who, being filial and fraternal, are fond of offending against their superiors. There have been none, who, not liking to offend against their superiors, have been fond of stirring up confusion."

"The superior man bends his attention to what is radical. That being established, all practical courses naturally grow up. Filial piety and fraternal submission,-are they not the root of all benevolent actions?"

The Master said, "Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue."

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 Master said, "To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men; and the employment of the people at the proper seasons."

The Master said, "A youth, when at home, should be filial, and, abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love to all, and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity, after the performance of these things, he should employ them in polite studies."

Tsze-hsia said, "If a man withdraws his mind from the love of beauty, and applies it as sincerely to the love of the virtuous; if, in serving his parents, he can exert his utmost strength; if, in serving his prince, he can devote his life; if, in his intercourse with his friends, his words are sincere:-although men say that he has not learned, I will certainly say that he has.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: El Paso Norte Press (September 9, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976072629
• ISBN-13: 978-0976072621
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #213,677 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Analects, The Great Learning and The Doctrine of the Mean, June 22, 2009

By 

Richard York - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Teachings of Confucius - Special Edition (Paperback)

This volume of the complete teachings of Confucius is a gem. There are some wonderful opportunities here to teach basic Eastern philosophy to your children or students. Confucius was a very wise man, and religion aside, his teachings are an excellent way to bond with young adults.

As I was looking for some quotes to share with students, I found a passage which I had forgotten, which really resonated with me:
"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."

Unlike most of the books about Confucius on Amazon, this volume contains all 3 of the major works by Confucius which have survived, not just The Analects. If you have only read The Analects, be prepared to be doubly impressed when you read the other works by Confucius as a collection.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Confucius Is For The Ages, July 24, 2009

By 

Paula Tiffany (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Teachings of Confucius - Special Edition (Paperback)

I have been doing a survey of eastern philosophy books, including The Art of War, Tao - The Way, and The Samurai Series. When I decided to add Confucius, I was a bit skeptical. The last time I read Confucius, it was on a slip of paper inside a fortune cookie. I was so incredibly surprised and pleased after reading The Great Learning. Confucius was so wise, and I guess the fact that his wisdom has been absorbed so thoroughly by our culture, that it is easy to forget that it was this man who thought of these pearls of wisdom, and they haven't "been around forever." We have tried to reduce his wisdom to easy-to-remember sound bites, but the reader who fails to delve deeper does so at their peril. I have decided to give this book my highest recommendation. Give this wonderful book a chance, and help to preserve the rightful place of Confucius among the pantheon of the greatest minds.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The complete teachings of Confucius, May 23, 2009

By 

Paul Haseley (Las Vegas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Teachings of Confucius - Special Edition (Paperback)

No whistles and bells, devoid of cutesy pictures, this edition is the complete surviving collection of the teachings of Confucius. In addition to the widely available "Analects," I was also surprised to find the "Doctrine of the Mean," and the "Great Learning." For people like me who prefer an uncluttered page, this edition was exactly what I was looking for.