Spring and Autumn Annals (ePub)

Confucius, born in 551 BCE in the state of Lu (present-day Shandong Province, China), was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher who has significantly influenced East Asian life and thought. His philosophy emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, kindness, and sincerity. These values were encapsulated in what became known as Confucianism, a system of ethics adopted by subsequent generations in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Confucius's disciples and his only legacy, the Analects, have continued to influence the moral fabric and political ideology of Asian culture for centuries. Although primarily remembered as a philosopher, Confucius held the post of a minor court official and served as an advisor to various rulers of his time. One of the texts traditionally attributed to his editorial hand is the 'Spring and Autumn Annals', a historical record of the state of Lu that covers the period from 722 BCE to 481 BCE. While the extent of his authorship is a subject of scholarly debate, it reflects the rigorous scholarly standards and methodical approach Confucius applied to learning and history. His teachings, collected and transmitted by his disciples, have been preserved and studied for over two millennia, underscoring the enduring impact of his intellectual legacy (Yao, 2000; Fung, 1948).