The Analects (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

~ (Author), William Edward Soothill (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Rich distillation of the timeless precepts of extremely influential Chinese philosopher and social theorist. Includes "Concerning Fundamental Principles," "Concerning Government," "The Eight Dancers: Concerning Manners and Morals," "Concerning Virtue," "Concerning Certain Disciples and Others," "Concerning Certain Disciples and Other Subjects," "Concerning the Master Himself," and much more. Footnotes.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Chinese

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; Unabridged edition (April 12, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486284840
• ISBN-13: 978-0486284842
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #265,380 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book at a fabulous price, July 18, 2000

By	"sabrina777" (Orlando, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This book contains the essential antiquities of ancient learning that fostered the development of the philosophies in the west in a clear, easy to read format.

I was amply impressed by the organization and translation, and doubly impressed by the fantastic price. I would highly recommend for anyone just curious about philosophy, or for anyone doing scholarly research on this subject. 5 stars

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars No fault with the original text, just the translation., July 3, 2006

By	Abdulmajed Dakkak "QoDSec" (Toledo, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In contrast with some of the free translations found online, this book's translation was somewhat odd. Certain Chinese words cannot be translated into English, or have different meanings depending on how you read it. Thus certain sentences could be translated differently. The free online translations acknowledged this problem and provided explanations to why such a word or a sentence was translated; this is missing in this book. As an example, the book uses the phrase "the nobler type of a man", while other translations refer to the concept of "nobler" as the "Tao". The other translations provide justifications for the translation, while this book does not.

I would have also loved a discussion of the text and how they would be interpreted in different situations.

The book lacks a proper introduction. First there is no detailed explanation on who Confucius was, what he became, and what contributed to the writing of the Analects. Similarly, there is no explanation on China, and how Confucius's work contributes in today's Chinese society. The book even fails to explain what credentials the translator has, and what sets this book apart from the thousand other translations of the Analects.

9 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The brilliance of humility., November 23, 2000

By	David Marshall (Nagasaki, Japan) - See all my reviews

If, when you think of "eastern philosophy," yourheart goes pitter-patter for esoteric revelations from AscendedMasters, stories of Jesus practicing magic in Tibet as a youngster, oreven the mind-expanding wit of Zhuang Zi, you may find Confuciusboringly prosaic. His wisdom lies in a different direction, and ismore subtle. The Analects is like a bowl of Chinese dumplings, or attheir most flavorful dim sum, that you pick out one at a time andlearn the taste and value of. Few of his sayings are brilliant, butrather the kind of mundane and kindly profundity that the war-wearyChina of the late Zhou found so filling. In modern China, too, I havefound that Confucius is very popular, probably more popular than thewitty Lao Zi.

Confucius said his teachings were connected by asingle thread. While a disciple gave a slightly different solution,the thread I suggest you follow through this otherwise ratherdisjointed collection of teachings and observations is humility. Bythat I don't mean self-abnegation or loss of individuality in thecollective, but an ability to see clearly in all directions -- above,towards superiors (ultimately God), below, compassion for the needy,within, ("To know what you know, and know what you don't know,this is knowledge") and without, to take an interest in the worldaround you. (Confucius became China's "first teacher"because he himself was "eager to learn.") To me, this kindof integrated humility is the starting point for any worthwhilephilosophy of life.

The Analects can also be of value to peopleinterested in the critical study of the New Testament, by the way.This book greatly resembles the Gospels in terms of genre. Bothconsist of sayings and actions of a teacher who traveled with a bandof disciples, as recorded by the early community of followers. Fewscholars doubt the historical character of the Analects, whilecontroversy about the Gospels makes headlines on a regular basis. Itis interesting to me that the same internal arguments scholars likeCreel and Lau use to prove the Analects, apply even more strongly tothe Gospels. If you do read the two sets of documents together, youmight try the further experiment of comparing Confucius' ideal person,sage or "Savior" as Confucian scholar Chen Jingpan describeshim, to the central character of the Gospels. Remember that Menciussaid a sage would appear once every 500 years, and Confucius lived in500 B.C. As a Christian I respect Confucius not only as a great moralteacher, but also sometimes think he might have been a kind ofprophet.

Five stars for Confucius; one lost in translation.Soothill seems accurate, as far as I can tell, and the price is right,but his language is a bit archaic at times. Also, be sure to get aversion with notes.

Author, True Son of Heaven: How Jesus Fulfillsthe Chinese Culture ...