The Analects of Confucius

Confucius (traditional attribution)

Collected sayings and conversations explore learning, conduct, ritual and responsibilities toward others. This is the same Legge translation used for the archive’s Master-speech chapters; the complete text also contains other speakers and dialogue. For leadership, compare II.1 and II.3 on the example set by a ruler. For customs, IX.3 distinguishes an accepted change in ceremonial dress from a practice the speaker resists. For moderation, VI.16 considers a balance between substantive qualities and accomplishments. Read these as historically situated arguments, not automatic approval of hierarchy, every tradition or a numerical rule for living. For respect, XII.2 links considerate reception with reciprocal treatment. For integrity, IV.16 contrasts righteousness with gain. Legge’s historical vocabulary of superior and mean people and the text’s hierarchical setting require scrutiny; these related readings do not prove that the selected sayings originated here.

Who it suits

Readers interested in learning as a practice of character and in the tensions between personal conduct and public life.

Reading experience

Moderate; historical social relationships and translated terminology need context. This is an Edsverb editorial guide, not a measured reading score.

The edition

Edition

Undated digitized James Legge English edition; printed publication year/publisher not supplied in this cached text; James Legge translation

Language

English

Translator

James Legge

Project Gutenberg declares this specific historical English text public domain in the USA. Rights elsewhere are not established. This is the source text quoted in the archive; full reading stays external.

Check the edition, language and translator in library results; local availability is not guaranteed. Our reading cards are typographic artwork, not publisher covers. No affiliate links are configured.

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