Book cover of The Analects

Book description

The Norton Critical Edition aims to situate the historical figure of Kongzi, the legendary figure of Confucius, and the Analects (or Lunyu), the single most influential book ascribed to the Master's circle of disciples, within their evolving ethical, cultural, and political contexts. Simon Leys's acclaimed translation and notes are accompanied…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Analects as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I was unaware of the persuasiveness and simplicity of Confucius’ teachings. Finally reading this book brought home why Confucianism has become the way of life of a large portion of the globe.

The translation was in contemporary English which made it an easy read.Ā  Reading the edition I did, I was able to place Confucius in his historical and geographical situation. The Analects is both subtle and elegant. I had thought of Confucianism as a religion, but it is very different from religions in the Western sense. Confucius’ Analects offers a guide for ethical, cultural, and political life, one based…

If you love The Analects...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancĆ©, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

Want books like The Analects?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Analects.

Browse books like The Analects

Book cover of The Analects of Confucius
Book cover of The Analects of Confucius: The Books of Confucian Wisdom
Book cover of Understanding the Analects of Confucius: A New Translation of Lunyu with Annotations

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,340

readers submitted
so far, will you?

šŸ“š If you like The Analects, you might also like...

Book cover of Foxfire in the Snow

Foxfire in the Snow by J.S. Fields,

It's a time of change, between magic and alchemy.

Born the heir of a master woodcutter in a queendom defined by guilds and matrilineal inheritance, nonbinary Sorin can’t quite seem to find their place. At seventeen, an opportunity to attend an alchemical guild fair and secure an apprenticeship with the…

Book cover of The Main Gate

The Main Gate by Yvonne Kjorlien,

Dr. Elise Marquette has spent years burying the past—until the past refuses to stay buried.

Hired to join Earth’s first interstellar contact team, she hopes the vastness of space will finally offer distance from the ghosts of war and the wounds left by a mother who never let her be…

5 book lists we think you will like!