The Analects of Confucius (Wisehouse Classics Edition) in Bloomington, MN

The Analects
(literally: "Edited Conversations"), also known as the
Analects of Confucius
, is a collection of sayings and ideas attributed to the Chinese philosopher
Confucius
and his contemporaries, traditionally believed to have been compiled and written by
Confucius'
followers. It is believed to have been written during the
Warring States
period (475 BC-221 BC), and it achieved its final form during the mid-Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). By the early
Han
dynasty the
Analects
was considered merely a "commentary" on the Five Classics, but the status of the
grew to be one of the central texts of Confucianism by the end of that dynasty.
During the late
Song
dynasty (960-1279) the importance of the
as a philosophy work was raised above that of the older Five Classics, and it was recognized as one of the "Four Books". The
has been one of the most widely read and studied books in China for the last 2,000 years, and continues to have a substantial influence on Chinese and East Asian thought and values today. They were very important for Confucianism and China's overall morals.