Book Review of Confucius- the Analects

Book Review of Confucius- the Analects

Introduction

Confucius- the Analects is one of the key books of Chinese thought and Chinese literature; which has been studies and memorized from historical period. This book should be renowned as the most influential books in the history of world. Arthur Waley is the translator of the book, who provides great depiction of the literature that brings this translation as a great gift to the readers. The translator of the book provides political and social background, analyses of chief terms in Chinese beliefs, and a vigilant account of the book and its interpretations.

The originator of the book, Confucius was born in around 551 B.C, which considered by many people as a master. Confucius was the teacher and political consultant in pre-imperial China. It has been discovered that he used to live in a period of transition. Confucius found his world falling under the barbarity and violent behavior. He believed that he was selected by Heaven to be the religious heir to the Duke of Zhou, who is renowned to establish a universal feudal 5 hundred years ago, which unified the civilized world. Apart from his interest in politics, moreover, Confucius was also skilled at outdoor activities, for instance archery and handling horses, and he was also fond of fishing and hunting. But it should be clear that the true profession of Confucius was politics. It is found in the history that he used to advise government officials about finances, diplomacy, foreign affairs, defense and administration. Simon Leys writes in the introduction of the book that The Analects is the only place where we can actually meet the living and real Confucius.

The book provides the glimpses of its originality that the Analects for Confucius are like the Gospels to Jesus. He promotes universal brotherhood and humanist ethics that inspires most of the nations. It has been observed that Chinese emperors promoted the officials followers of religious beliefs and practices of Confucius for not less than 2 thousand years. This particular belief became as a kind of religion. Under the world of Chinese, the Analects became the spiritual foundation. The book presents an understanding and appraisal to the readers about the philosophy, which has remained during the ages and is as applicable in today's world, as it was written in the earlier times. The term Analects is explained as a assembling of excerpts from literary composition. The book is the collection of brief statements, short dialogues, and anecdotes, which usually pays attribute to Confucius. Most of his saying or statements are accredited to his rulers or disciples of the time. These statements were jotted down in 400B.C, which was approximately after 7 years of Confucius death. The common purpose of the text was to help the reader in self-reformation, so one may be moral instance for others. By the help of this book, people can find the proper path to behave and live by different virtual practices, for being a gentleman and humane ...