Which is earlier, the Analects or the Zuo Zhuan? What are the basic characteristics of the Analects style?

The content of "The Analects" involves politics, education, literature, philosophy, and the principles of conduct in life. There are 20 chapters and 492 chapters in the existing "Analects", of which about 444 chapters record the conversations between Confucius and his disciples and contemporaries, and 48 chapters record the conversations between Confucius' disciples. So, which of the two is earlier, the Analects or the Zuo Zhuan? What are the basic characteristics of the Analects style? Let's take a look at the introduction of Encyclopedia Knowledge Network to answer these questions!

Contents of this article

1. Which of the two is earlier? The Analects of Confucius or Zuo Zhuan

2. What are the basic characteristics of the essay style?

3. Character analysis in the Analects of Confucius

Which is earlier, the Analects or Zuo Zhuan?

The Analects is a collection of the words and deeds of Confucius, a thinker and educator during the Spring and Autumn Period, and his disciples and disciples. It is also known as Lun, Yu, Chuan, and Ji. It is one of the important classics of Confucianism. It is one of the Thirteen Classics, with a total of 20 volumes. The Analects mainly records words. Because there are many dialogues, it focuses on selecting dialogues with educational significance. Lun means to choose, explore, and communicate, and Yu means discourse. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, Dong Zhongshu suggested that Emperor Wu of Han adopt Confucianism, so there was a slogan of "abolishing all schools of thought and respecting Confucianism alone".

The full name of Zuo Zhuan is Zuo Zhuan of the Spring and Autumn Annals, one of the Thirteen Classics of Confucianism. Zuo Zhuan is not only a famous work of ancient Han history, but also a famous work of literature. Zuo Zhuan is the first detailed chronicle in China. It is said that it was compiled by Zuo Qiuming, a historian of the State of Lu in the late Spring and Autumn Period, based on the Spring and Autumn Annals, the national history of the State of Lu. The narrative range starts from the first year of Duke Yin of Lu (722 BC) to the twenty-seventh year of Duke Ai of Lu (468 BC).

What are the basic characteristics of literary style?

1. Each paragraph is independent and there is no logical connection between the previous and next paragraphs.

2. The title of each chapter is taken from the first few words and has no logical connection with the content of the chapter.

3. The contents of each chapter are mixed together without any hierarchy.

The Analects is a collection of the words and deeds of Confucius, a thinker and educator during the Spring and Autumn Period, and his disciples and their descendants. It is one of the important classics of Confucianism. The Analects mainly records words, and because there are many dialogues, it focuses on selecting dialogues with educational significance. "Lun" means to choose, explore, and communicate, and "Yu" means words. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, Dong Zhongshu suggested that Emperor Wu of Han adopt Confucianism, so there was a slogan of "abolishing all schools of thought and respecting Confucianism alone".

Analysis of the Characters in the Analects of Confucius

The Analects of Confucius: Xianjin includes Yan Yuan, Zigong, Zilu and others.

1. Yan Yuan: Yan Hui was the most outstanding disciple of Confucius. His moral character and academic achievements were both outstanding, and he was praised by Confucius many times. In the Analects, there are six sentences in which Confucius praised Yan Hui. He was diligent and studious, and was not troubled by the hardships of life. Although Yan Hui did not leave any writings, he set a brilliant example for later Confucian scholars with his behavior and moral character.

2. Zigong: Zigong is famous for his words among the ten Confucian philosophers. He is eloquent, good at oratory, and has the ability to do business. He served as the prime minister of Lu and Wei. He was also good at business. He once did business between Cao and Lu, and became rich, the richest among Confucius' disciples. Zigong was good at business, and had the style of "a gentleman loves money, but gets it in a proper way", which was highly praised by the business community in later generations.

3. Zilu: straightforward, brave, keeps his promises and is loyal to his duties.

The "Analects of Confucius: Xianjin" is from the "Analects of Confucius", which has a total of 26 chapters. It mainly explains the doctrine of the mean that "too much is as bad as too little", the relationship between learning various knowledge and becoming an official in the future, and Confucius' attitude towards ghosts and gods, life and death.