Confucius, known in Chinese as Kongzi (Master Kong), was a revered philosopher, teacher, and political thinker whose ideas have profoundly shaped Chinese culture and East Asian civilizations for over two millennia.
This book approaches the Analects from a historical perspective. Beyond discussing moral cultivation, governance, and the philosophy of benevolent rule—such as self-cultivation, family harmony, state order, and universal peace—the Analects also refers extensively to historical figures, ancient institutions, historical allusions, and artifacts. Without an understanding of the relevant history, we may struggle to fully grasp the classic. This work focuses on revealing the historical context behind the Analects, aiming to deepen readers' comprehension and insight by adding a historical dimension to its study.
Zheng Liangen is a writer and scholar, serving as a specially appointed expert at the Chinese Traditional Culture Research and Experience Base of Shandong University. He has authored over ten books, including A Brief History of China, A Brief History of China for Young Readers, The Style of the Spring and Autumn Period, The Character of the Warring States Era, The Adolescence of the Empire, Pre-Qin Philosophers, and Inclusiveness and Grace: Cai Yuanpei, among others. Among these works, The Style of the Spring and Autumn Period received the National Award for Excellence in Popular Ancient Books in 2015, and A Brief History of China was honored with the same award in 2017.
