The Complete Works of Confucius

The Complete Works of Confucius by Confucius
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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.

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Government and society in China were grounded in the Confucian philosophy, which held that there was a basic order in the universe and a natural harmony linking man, nature, and the cosmos (heaven); it also held that man was by nature a social being, and that the natural order of the universe should be reflected in human relations. The family unit was seen as the primary social unit; relationships within the family were fundamental to all others and comprised three of the “five relationships” that were the models for all others: sovereign-subject; husband-wife; parent-child; elder brother-younger brother; friend-friend. In this hierarchy of social relations, each role had clearly defined duties; reciprocity or mutual responsibility between subordinate and superior was fundamental to the Confucian concept of human relations. The virtue of filial piety, or devotion of the child to his parents, was the foundation for all others. When extended to all human beings, it nurtured the highest virtue, humaneness (“ren” or “jen”), or the sense of relatedness to other persons.

via Columbia University – Asia for Educators

Further ReadingIntroduction to Confucian Thought – Columbia UniversityConfucianism – WikipediaConfucius – Wikipedia