Confucianism: The Core Principles and Classic Texts

Confucianism, also known as Ruism or the School of the Scholars, was founded by the great philosopher and educator, Confucius, in the late Spring and Autumn period. The core content of Confucianism includes 'Ren (benevolence)', 'Yi (righteousness)', 'Li (propriety)', 'Zhi (wisdom)', and 'Xin (faithfulness)'. The Analects of Confucius is one of the classic works of Confucianism, consisting of twenty-one chapters that mainly record the words and deeds of Confucius and his disciples. It was compiled by Confucius' disciples and their descendants. The Analects of Confucius, along with the Doctrine of the Mean, the Mencius, and the Great Learning, are known as the 'Four Books', and together with the Book of Songs, the Book of Documents, the Book of Rites, the I Ching, and the Spring and Autumn Annals, they are known as the 'Four Books and Five Classics'. Confucianism was the mainstream ideology in ancient China and has had a profound influence on China, East Asia, and even the whole world.