The Analects of Confucius (from the Chinese Classics), Book 11 summary

What happens

1. Confucius prefers ancient ritual practices, distinguishes his disciples’ strengths, and praises learning and devotion to parents.
2. Yen Yuan’s death brings intense grief, but Confucius rejects an expensive outer coffin and opposes the disciples’ elaborate funeral.
3. Confucius directs attention toward serving living people, criticizes excess and exploitation, and questions whether impressive speech proves goodness.
4. He restrains Tsze-lu but encourages Zan Yu, explaining that their different temperaments require different advice.
5. He defines principled service to rulers and rebukes Tsze-lu for defending Tsze-kao’s appointment without sufficient learning.
6. Four disciples describe their wishes; Confucius approves Tsang Hsi’s spring outing and explains his criticism of Tsze-lu’s boastful manner.

In this book

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