The Sayings of Confucius

The timeless wisdom of Confucius is vividly presented in this classic edition of the Chinese philosopher's sayings and quotations.

Written during the 4th century BC, a time of great upheaval in China, this catalogue of sayings by Confucius offers both a profound philosophic insight into the thought, ideas and morals of the thinkers of the era as well as a history of ancient Chinese society. References to fierce battles and intrigues between dukes and kings are homage to the conflict which characterised the era in which Confucianist philosophy was born.

To this day, Confucian thought - exemplified by his many sayings and quotations - remain influential throughout Eastern Asia, underpinning cultural concepts of family, responsibility and duty to the state and to one's own work and intellectual development. The vast scope of Confucianism also affected Chinese government, with the importance of rigorous study and dedication finding ample outlet in the fields of education and governance in the present day.

The translation of this text is by scholar Leonard Arthur Lyall, who spent his decades long academic career studying the Chinese Classics. As such the delicate preservation of the original calligraphic messages neatly to English for the benefit of readers with little or no understanding of the original script.