By definition, The Analects (Lun-yu) is a collection of moral and ethical principles authored by Confucius (K'ung Fu-tzu) in conversations with his disciples. These principles set standards for individual conduct and the administration of government and communities. After Confucius died in 479 BC, his followers compiled his teachings in the form of dialogues between him and his students. Over the next two-and-a-half centuries, followers saw the worth through to its conclusion in 221 BC. The resulting collection highly influenced educational , social, and cultural thought in China and elsewhere.
Running through the teachings of Confucius is this theme: A man should lead an upright life, educate himself, and contribute to the betterment of society. The superior man, he says, respects elders, cultivates the friendship of good people, presides over his subordinates with a fair and even hand, continually educates himself, overflows with love for fellow human beings, and in general sets a good example for others to follow.
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