The teachings of Confucius are to be found in two main collected works known as the Five Classics and the Four Books.

The Five Classics include:



the Classic of History
the Classic of Poetry or Book of Odes
the Classic of Rites
the Book of Changes or I Ching
the Spring and Autumn Annals

Collectively, the Five Classics formed the foundations of Chinese education, and particularly the education of administrative bureaucrats from the Han Dynasty (206-221CE) right on till the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1911.

The Four Books consist of:
the Analects of Confucius;
the Doctrine of the Mean;
the Great Learning;
the Higher Learning;and
the Works of Mencius.

Selections from the Teachings of Confucius

On the Value of Reading from the Spring and Autumn Annals


"When one is kind and gentle and simple-hearted, and yet not ignorant, we may be sure one is deep in the study of poetry. When one is broad-minded and acquainted with the past, and yet not filled with incorrect legends or stories of events, we may be sure one is deep in the study of history. When one is generous and shows a good disposition and yet not extravagant in one's personal habits, we may be sure one is deep in the study of music. When one is quiet and thoughtful and shows a sharp power of observation, and yet is not crooked, we may be sure that one is deep in the study of philosophy. When one is humble and polite and frugal in one's personal habits and yet not full of elaborate ceremonies, we may be sure one is deep in the study of propriety. And when one is cultivated in speech, ready with expressions and analogies and yet is not influenced by the picture of the prevailing moral chaos, we may be sure that one is deep in the study of the Spring and Autumn Annals."

On the Cultivation of Virtue As a Moral Imperative


"The thought that I have not properly cultivated virtue, that what is learned has not been thoroughly discussed, that knowing what is right I have not moved toward it, that what is wrong I have not been able to change-- these are the things which bother me."

On Filial Piety and Social Obligation


"A young man's duty is to behave well to his parents at home and to his elders abroad, to be cautious in giving promises and punctual in keeping them, to have kindly feelings toward everyone, but seek the intimacy of the Good. if, when all that is done, he has any energy to spare, then let him study the polite arts."

Confucianism Home Pages
Web Sites on Confucianism