Spring and Autumn Annals (ePub)

Confucius (551-479 BCE), known as Kongzi or Master Kong in his native Chinese, stands among the pre-eminent philosophers and educators of ancient China. His influence on Eastern thought is profound and enduring, echoing through the millennia with a legacy centered on ethics, family loyalty, and the moral dimensions of society and government. Though renowned for his sayings compiled in 'The Analects', it is often overlooked that he is linked to one of the Five Classics of Chinese literature, 'The Spring and Autumn Annals' (Chunqiu). This historical record covers the period of Chinese history corresponding to his lifetime. While there is debate among scholars regarding the extent of Confucius's direct authorship of the Annals, the text indeed reflects his ideological framework, placing emphasis on moral righteousness and the importance of just governance. The Annals are notable for their impressive brevity and the use of subtle commentary to impart Confucian judgment on historical events. Confucius's literary style is characteristic of Chinese Classical prose, immersive yet succinct, steering away from overt metaphysical speculation and instead grounding wisdom in practical and accessible terms. His work, notably, has not only shaped the civil examinations and administrative governance in Imperial China but continues to underpin East Asian cultural and philosophical thought to this very day.