QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN READING THE ANALECTS (Lunyu 論語)

1.      According to Confucius and his followers, what kind of life should one lead or strive to lead?

2.      What guides should one use in conducting this life?

3.      Are there any suggestions in the Analects that human nature is good (i.e. that all people are originally or fundamentally good)?

4.      What is the Way (dao) according to Confucius?

5.      What is religious about Confucius' thought?

KEY TERMS IN THE ANALECTS

ren 仁 humaneness, humanity
li 禮 rites, ritual, ritual propriety
junzi 君子 noble person
xue 學 learning 
wen 文 culture
tian 天 Heaven
tianming 天命 Mandate of Heaven, what Heaven ordains
de 德 virtue, moral power
dao 道  the Way
yi 義 rightness
si 思 thinking, reflecting
zhi 知 knowing, understanding
xin 信 trustworthiness, keeping one's word 
zhong 忠 loyalty
shu 恕 reciprocity
xiao 孝 filial devotion/respect