Confucian Classics

Name: Confucian Classics
ISBN: 9787800992988

Li Jianqiao中国三峡出版社 · ChinaMay 2020

Rating 2.4

Word count: 119K words
Chapters: 197
ISBN: 9787800992988

Summary

This is an introductory reader intended for both targeted reading audiences and general readers. It is sure to play a major role in China's nationwide reading campaign and to become a key selection for primary and secondary school libraries, rural reading rooms, community reading rooms, staff libraries of government bodies and enterprises, and military unit libraries.

Editor's review

Confucian Classics, compiled by Mr. Li Jianqiao and published by China Three Gorges Publishing House, is, according to available information, not an independent scholarly monograph but rather a popular introduction to Confucian thought for general readers. Its core value lies in systematically organizing and accessibly interpreting the traditional Confucian canon, distilling and integrating the essentials of classics such as The Analects, Mencius, The Great Learning, and The Doctrine of the Mean to give readers a clear introductory framework for Confucian thought. In the editor's view, the book's strengths are its orderly arrangement and plain language. It avoids overly abstruse academic textual criticism and focuses on presenting the core Confucian ideas that transcend time and bear on everyday human relations and self-cultivation, such as benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness. This approach lowers the threshold for ordinary readers to encounter classical wisdom and helps them rediscover, amid the clamor of modern life, the quiet power of traditional values. It should be noted, however, that the book's depth may not satisfy specialists or readers seeking detailed textual analysis. It is more a map sketching the contours of Confucian thought than an exploration guide into every intellectual detail. For readers eager for an overview of Confucian culture, seeking practical wisdom for living, or hoping to introduce traditional culture to children, it is a good starting point. Its value lies not in offering startling new interpretations but in faithfully and clearly conveying ancient wisdom in an accessible form.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers curious about traditional Chinese culture and Confucian thought who want a systematic introduction.
Modern readers seeking personal cultivation and practical philosophy and life insight from classical wisdom.
Parents or educators looking for traditional-culture introductory reading suitable for young people.
Busy professionals who want to engage with the classics in fragmented time for spiritual nourishment and reflection.

Not a good fit for

Scholars specializing in Chinese philosophy or intellectual history who need more primary and in-depth academic texts.
Readers expecting unique,颠覆性 personal views from the author, or who prefer critical, deconstructive reading.

Reading tips

Read through the book first to form an overall impression of the Confucian system; do not get bogged down in the profound meaning of individual words and phrases.
Read in light of your own life experience and consider the contemporary relevance of ideas such as the way of the gentleman and cultivating oneself and regulating the family.
If a particular view or chapter interests you greatly, use this book as an index and turn to primary texts such as The Analects for deeper exploration.

About the publisher

中国三峡出版社 China · Founded in 1992

China Three Gorges Publishing House focuses on books about water conservancy and hydropower, clean energy, ecological and environmental protection, and the protection of the Yangtze River, while also covering popular reading areas such as inspirational growth, education, social culture, and classic works. Its catalogue includes Chinese and foreign classics such as Wandering, Jane Eyre, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Old Man and the Sea, and The Education of Love, as well as inspirational and emotional works such as A Beauty Travels Far and Father's Love Is Like a Mountain, reflecting an editorial approach that values both the popularization of classics and growth-oriented education. Authors such as Hu Yuanbin, Li Jia, Li Ni, Luo Ming, Chen Hongxiao, and Ma Yinchun form part of its author base. As public information is limited, a full picture of its publishing features and series plans remains to be further understood.

版权信息
一、论语
学而篇第一
学而时习之
孝弟为仁之本
巧言令色
吾日三省吾身
入则孝出则弟
贤贤易色
过则勿惮改
慎终追远
温、良、恭、俭、让
观其志，观其行
礼之用，和为贵
为政篇第二
为政以德
道之以德，齐之以礼
视其所以
温故而知新
学与思
知之为知之
八佾篇第三
八佾舞于庭
礼之本
每事问
以礼使臣，以忠事君
《韶》与《武》
里仁篇第四
里仁为美
以其道得之
好仁恶不仁
朝闻夕死
士志于道
义与之比
君子怀德
不患无位
吾道一以贯之
君子喻于义
见贤思齐
事父母几谏
父母之年，不可不知
公冶长篇第五
朽木不可雕
吾亦欲无加诸人
不耻下问
君子之道
左丘明耻之
各言尔志
雍也篇第六
不迁怒，不贰过
一箪食，一瓢饮
文质彬彬
好之不如乐之
述而篇第七
学而不厌，诲人不倦
德之不修
不愤不启，不悱不发
临事而惧，好谋而成者
富而可求也
乐在其中
发愤忘食，乐以忘忧
敏以求之
三人行必有我师
吾无隐乎
奢则不孙
君子坦荡荡
泰伯篇第八
犯而不校
托六尺之孤
士不可以不弘毅
《诗》，礼，乐
子罕篇第九
子绝四
叩其两端而竭
循循然善诱人
美玉于斯
君子居之，何陋之有
逝者如斯夫
譬如为山，未成一篑
苗而不秀
后生可畏
匹夫不可夺志
松柏之后凋
知者不惑
乡党篇第十
孔子于乡党
先进篇第十一
子哭之恸
由之瑟
过犹不及
进之退之
颜渊篇第十二
颜渊问仁
仲弓问仁
四海之内皆兄弟
子贡问政
君子成人之美
季康子问政
子路篇第十三
先之劳之
名正言顺
身正不令而行
富则教之
正身正人
近者说，远者来
欲速则不达
居处恭，执事敬，与人忠
君子和，小人同
善者好之，不善者恶之
泰而不骄
刚毅木讷近仁
切切偲偲，怡怡如也
宪问篇第十四
士不怀居
仁者必有勇
爱之劳之
贫而无怨，富而无骄
事君勿欺可犯
不在其位，不谋其政
言过其行
卫灵公篇第十五
君子固穷
杀身成仁
远虑与近忧
躬自厚而薄责于人
义以为质
不以言举人
己所不欲，勿施于人
小不忍乱大谋
恶之好之，必察焉
过而不改
君子谋道不谋食
民之于仁
当仁不让
季氏篇第十六
益者三友，损者三友
二、孟子
仁则荣不仁则辱
尊贤使能俊杰在位
人皆有不忍人之心
矢人与函人
子路人告之以有过则喜
天时不如地利
公孙衍张仪
性无善无不善
富岁子弟多赖
鱼我所欲也
人皆可以为尧舜
舜发于畎亩之中
孔子登东山而小鲁
民为贵
三、大学
“经文”
释“明明德”
释“新民”
“止于至善”
释“本末”
释“格物致知”
释“诚意”
释“正心修身”
释“修身齐家”
释“齐家治国”
释“治国平天下”
四、中庸
纲领
知人
正心
正心
修身
审问
明道
正心
正心
明道
正心
知物
笃行
修身
齐家
齐家
知天
齐家
齐家
治国
知性
诚意
诚意
治国
诚意
博学
修身
明道
明辩
知法
修身
诚意
正心

FAQ

Is this book an academic work?

It is more of a popular introduction that systematically organizes and accessibly interprets the core ideas of the Confucian classics. Its plain language suits beginners; it is not a cutting-edge academic monograph.

Does the book include the complete original texts of the Confucian classics?

Given its purpose, the book mainly distills, summarizes, and interprets the essentials of the classics. It may include selected passages but is not a complete collection of original texts. It emphasizes explanation rather than full presentation.

Is it suitable for middle school students?

Very suitable. Its systematic content and accessible language make it a good book for helping young people build a knowledge framework of Confucian culture and encounter fine traditional culture, aiding language learning and humanistic cultivation.

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

Li Jianqiao Author

Li Jianqiao: public information is limited, and no authoritative record of his life details has been found. According to the inner pages of the book series he helped compile, he served as director and editor-in-chief of the editorial committees for large series such as Chinese History Encyclopedia and World History Encyclopedia published by Liaohai Press, and often co-authored popular history and science books with Jie Baofeng. The library contains 199 of his works, covering subjects including popular science, inspirational growth, culture, classic works, film and television, and mystery and detective fiction. Representative works include Unresolved Mysteries of Suspense, Beautiful Natural Wonders, Habit Analysis, Journey Through Chinese Civilization volumes one and two, and Classic Quotes from World Celebrities volumes one to three. Judging from these works, his writing emphasizes knowledge popularization and engaging presentation, organizing history, nature, and humanities topics into accessible books for general readers, with considerable experience in compiling popular science and cultural transmission series.