In this article, you will find a summary of some of the best ideas from The Analects. The book is a collection of Confucius’s philosophy, wise sayings and lessons. They were compiled by his devoted students/disciples. (Much in the same way that the historian Arrian collected the teachings of the Stoic philosopher Epictetus in the book called Discourses around the year 100 AD).
The Analects have been widely read in China – it is a bit like the Bible here in the West – and reminds me of Laozi’s Tao Te Ching. If you like the book review you are reading now, I think you will also like the one about the Tao Te Ching. Feel free to read it afterwards or save it for later. (Incidentally, Confucius is said to have been taught by Laozi – how cool would that be if that’s true?).
If you’re interested in ancient philosophy, this is one of the few books you should make sure to bring along you.
Also On YouTube: The Analects Summary
If you would like to watch the Analects summary in video format, have a look at this video I put out on YouTube. If not, then you can keep reading below!
Confucian philosophy
There is much that we can learn from Confucian philosophy that we can apply in our own lives. This is one of the reasons why I point out in several places that some philosophers actually have something useful to say. Despite all the boring philosophy lessons you may have received at school or university, there are practical philosophers and philosophies. Here are some of the best from this book.
Learning
“In a village of ten households, it is inevitable that there will be some who are as good as I am at doing their best for others and at being reliable in what they say, but it is highly unlikely that they will be as eager like me to learn.”
– Confucius
Confucius was consumed by curiosity and learning at the age of 15, and cultivated a love for lifelong learning. This is probably the character trait he was most proud of. He would probably be proud to see you reading this book review to absorb knowledge and follow your curiosity!
How to become a better person
“When you meet someone who is better than yourself, set your mind on becoming their equal. When you meet someone who is not as good as you are, look within and examine yourself.”
– Confucius
When you see a person who is good at something, do you get jealous? Instead, why not be inspired by finding out that you can do the same if you want to and are willing to put in the effort required?
The famous writer and champion of individualism, Emerson (read more here), has a similar quote to Confucius: “In my walks every man I meet is superior to myself in some way, and in that I learn from him. “
In short: When you are with other people, it might be a good idea to copy their good points, and correct their bad ones – in yourself, that is. Because it is often the case that it is the qualities we ourselves have that we discover in others.
Self-destructiveness
Jan Ch’iu, one of Confucius’s disciples once said that “It is not that I do not like your way of life, but rather that my strength is giving way.” To this Confucius replied, “A man whose strength gives way collapses along the way. In your case, you set the boundaries in advance.”
When you do something really challenging, and you feel a little tired, do you push on until you “collapse along the way”? Or do you “set the limits in advance,” and think that you are capable of much less than you actually are? As the famous mental coach Erik Bertrand Larssen says, “You can do more than you think.”
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