Monthly Archives: May 2016
Book 1 of the Analects available in presentation format
You are welcome to download my translation of Book 1 of the Analects of Confucius in presentation format from SlideShare. The text version is here.
Historical figures in the Analects of Confucius: Weisheng Gao
Weisheng Gao (微生高) was the subject of a famous story in the Zhuangzi (莊子) that depending on how you view it was either a tragic tale of unrequited love or a warning about the dangers of excessive rectitude.
According to the Zhuangzi, Weisheng arranged an assignation with a fair maiden under a bridge and promised to wait for her until she arrived. Even when it started pouring with rain and the floodwaters began rising, he stubbornly held on to one of the pillars of the bridge in the vain hope that she would arrive until he was swept away by the torrent and drowned. Continue reading Historical figures in the Analects of Confucius: Weisheng Gao
Followers of Confucius: Ran Geng
Ran Geng (冉耕), also known by the courtesy name of Boniu (百牛), was a native of the state of Lu like Confucius and was born about seven years after him in 554 BCE. He came from the same clan as two other followers of the sage, Ran Yong (冉雍) and Ran Qiu (冉求). Some sources even claim that he was Ran Yong’s father.
Followers of Confucius: Min Ziqian
Min Ziqian (閔子騫), also known by the formal name of Min Sun (閔損), was another of Confucius’s compatriots from the state of Lu and widely renowned as a model of filial devotion.
After the untimely death of his own mother, he suffered terrible abuse from his father’s second wife, almost dying of cold on one occasion after she had lined his clothes with reed catkins instead of the warm cotton she used for the garments of her own two sons. Continue reading Followers of Confucius: Min Ziqian
Confucius on leadership presentation
As a follow-up to my recent post on the same subject, I’ve posted a presentation on slideshare summarizing some of the most important characteristics that Confucius believed a leader (君子/jūnzǐ) should possess using quotes from Book 1 of the Analects.
I’d love to hear any feedback you may have on it. More presentations on the main themes of Confucius’s teachings are in the pipeline.