The Complete Works of Confucius

by Confucius

Confucius lived from 551-479 BC. The principles he espoused largely reflected the values and traditions in China at the time. Rather than create a formal theory, Confucius desired that his disciples study, learning and mastering the classic older texts, and affirmed that the superior person seeks and loves learning for the sake of learning, and righteousness for the sake of righteousness.

Genres: Philosophy, Classics

79 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 28, 2008

About the author

Chinese philosopher Confucius, originally Kong Fuzi and born circa 551 BC, promoted a system of social and political ethics, emphasizing order, moderation, and reciprocity between superiors and subordinates; after his death in 479 BC, disciples compiled the Analects , which contains a collection of his sayings and dialogues.

Teachings of this social thinker deeply influenced Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese life.

孔子 - Kong Zi
孔夫子 - Kong Fuzi (Kung Fu-Tzu)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius

Reviews

[Saettare · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Master said, 'In archery we have something like the way of the superior man. When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns round and seeks for the cause of his failure in himself.'"

Excerpt From: Confucius. “The Complete Works.” As translated by James Legge (1815-1897)

[Belinda Earl Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Negative Golden Rule

Confucius espoused the Golden Rule in negative. Don't do to others what you don't want done to you. He spent a lot of time talking about what made a superior man.

[S. Spelbring · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those reads that is often more contemplative and worth studying a bit to make sure the content is completely understood and in context. This is an ancient philosophical work, despite what modern "Confucius Says" jokes might have you believe otherwise.

I don't read many non-fiction books either, so this is a bit of a rarity for me in general, but part of the reason I do not read many non-fiction books is that I like to take the time to do outside research while I read so I can better understand the content I'm consuming.

The entirety of the book is the teachings and stories that Confucius told to support his philosophy, which is that the social structure of the family unity was vital to the happiness and productivity of society and government.

The Father/Husband ruled over his family just as the Sovereign Ruler reigned over the country. The other idea behind Confucianism is the perfection of humanness resulted from self-discipline, internal motivation, and morality.

Confucius himself became something of an advisor to several politicians of ancient China, and this ebook is the collected stories, sayings, and teachings that were translated and revised.

In general this book is easier to read if you have an understanding of what Confucianism is to have the context behind what is being said, otherwise it sounds a bit confusing and nonsensical trying to read it blindly.

It is a lovely bit of historical text and the basis of ancient Chinese philosophy.

[Todd Cheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

A needed read

It is a good entry into an old curiousity about Confucius. A bit harder to read than I expected, but having not read any other works it was okay.

[hani · Rating 3 out of 5]

philosophically entertaining ig

[Naveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. It was interesting to know how closely several pieces of advice of Confucius match that of Chanakya.

Great book. Although book makes no reference to Chanakya, It was interesting to know f how closely several pieces advice of Confucius match that of Chanakya.

[R.K. Cowles · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Jessica Baumgartner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the philosophy here. It would be a 5 if I were walking through the woods having the words poured into me. Reading them looses something.