Books published by Confucius in his later years

Confucius devoted himself to education in his later years, sorting out ancient books such as poems and books, and deleting Chunqiu. Its students recorded their thoughts and actions in The Analects. Philosophy Confucius lived in the Spring and Autumn Period, which was a transitional period from slave society to feudal society. Confucius' thought is full of contradictions between the old and the new, reflecting the spiritual outlook of the era of great change. View of Destiny and Ghosts Confucius inherited the traditional view of Destiny and Ghosts, regarded heaven as the master of all things and the god of personality, and believed that destiny dominated people's life and death and also determined social chaos. He advocated that "a gentleman has three fears: fear of destiny, fear of adults and fear of sacred words", and "those who don't know destiny don't think he is a gentleman". But at the same time, he denied the divination activities prevailing in the Zhou Dynasty, and put forward that "what heaven says, what it does at four o'clock, what it produces from the grain", and thought that the destiny was contained in the operation of natural things. Therefore, he advocated "keeping away from ghosts and gods can be described as the unity of knowledge and action." The Analects of Confucius records that Confucius "doesn't talk about strangeness, strength, chaos and spirit", saying that "if you don't know life, how can you know death" and "if you can't convince people, how can you convince ghosts", avoiding the question of whether people become ghosts after death.

See: et.com/encyclopedia/history/person/Bookman/991102051.htm for details.

In his later years, he devoted himself to sorting out literary classics such as poetry and books, and was later called "Six Classics" or "Six Arts". In 479 BC, Confucius died suddenly at the age of 73.

See: /ZHJD/ru/ru-index.htm for details.

Chunqiu, Zuozhuan and the Historical Position of Confucius

Zhang Jinghua

Chunqiu is a textbook selected by Confucius in his later years on the basis of Lu history. Zuo Qiuming supplemented Chunqiu with a large number of historical materials, such as Lu Taishi and Lu Junzi, and compiled Zuo Zhuan, which is obviously different from the two books: The Biography of the Ram and the Biography of Gu Liang. Later Confucian scholars compiled Chunqiu and Zuozhuan with Confucian classics. In fact, Confucius' exquisite words in the Spring and Autumn Annals have their origins, inheriting another historical tradition besides ancient notes and records. At the same time, Confucius' collation of Chunqiu also carried forward the ancient historical tradition of "remembering words" and "subtle words".

Today, most scholars talk about Confucius from one aspect of philosophy, and few people talk about Confucius' view of history. Moreover, the documents discussed by scholars are mainly limited to The Analects of Confucius. Mr. Qian once said, "We should test Confucius' theory and behavior. I think only the Analects of Confucius is the most reliable basis for comparison. " [1] (p70) Although this language was spoken at the time of the rise of the ancient history school, its influence has always existed. Mr. Zhou Yutong once said: "The truth of Confucius is still being studied by scholars, but it has not been completely solved", and then he put forward the problem of "sketching the outline of a real Confucius" [2] (P338-339). Mr. Jin also asked: "What legacy did Confucius leave us? ..... Some people say that only the Analects of Confucius can truly be called the legacy of Confucius. ..... The purpose of doing this is to turn Confucius into an' empty Confucius'. " [3] "History of Literature and Art" said that "The Analects of Confucius" is "Confucius responded to disciples, and disciples heard Confucius' words", so it can best represent Confucius' own thoughts. The other is the Six Classics (actually the Five Classics). In fact, there are more than 220 existing bibliographies besides the Six Classics, such as Sun Xingyan's Quotations of Confucius, which directly or indirectly relate to the theory and image of Confucius and may not contain precious historical materials.

As a scholar and thinker, his thoughts will naturally change due to different stages of life. There are two themes in Confucius' life: official travel and giving lectures. These two themes sometimes intersect and sometimes have obvious differences. As Sima Qian said, there was a time when "Confucius retired to be an official and studied poetry, books, rituals and music". With the different stages of official tour lectures, Confucius' ideological theme is also different. Especially in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, Confucius was famous for his erudition, versatility and erudition. Zhuangzi Qiushui: "Hebo said,' You will believe in Zhong Ni before you learn from him. "The so-called" little knowledge of Zhong Ni "means that Confucius was the most widely known scholar at that time. Therefore, the establishment of the knowledge system and theoretical system of Confucian Six Classics was not created by Confucius, but the result of Confucius' comprehensive selection of predecessors' knowledge. Six Classics is a carefully selected encyclopedia. Confucius said, "I want to talk empty words, so I might as well do what I see."

Deeply attached to Ming Ye. [4] (Historical Records, Biography of Taishigong) This practice of relying on the previous generation of laws and regulations made Confucius' thoughts adhere to the past history, but objectively it further differentiated the image of Confucius. "The Spring and Autumn Annals are used by people who know hills in later generations, and the Spring and Autumn Annals are also used by people who are guilty of hills." [4] ("Historical Records Confucius Family") Confucius was able to understand this at that time.

Spring and Autumn Annals was originally edited by Confucius. The relationship between Confucius and the Spring and Autumn Annals and the History of Lu was originally recorded in the fourteenth year of the Spring and Autumn Annals of Xiu and Zuo Zhuan: "Therefore, the gentleman said,' The name of the Spring and Autumn Annals is subtle, with gloomy ambition, graceful and restrained reason, and it is not polluted. Who can fix it if you are not a saint? ""From the perspective of modern works, the word' compiling history' is the most practical, because ancient historiography is a specialized industry and a historical post of a world official, and its chronology is based on Chen Xiangyin. The study of philosophers can be "empty talk", but historiography cannot be invented by one person. But when it comes to Mencius, it is "doing" rather than "repairing". Mencius under Teng Wengong: "Confucius dared not write Chunqiu, Chunqiu, and the matter of the son of heaven." Sima Qian said that Confucius wrote the Spring and Autumn Annals because of historical records [4] (Historical Records Confucius Family), and Ban Gu said that Confucius wrote the Spring and Autumn Annals because of Historical Records Lu [5] The biography of Han Sima Qian all used the word "left". Sima Qian's original intention was that Confucius had revised Chunqiu, but later generations understood the misunderstanding of metempsychosis. For example, Zhang Zai said: "The book of Spring and Autumn Annals has never existed before. It was written by Zhong Ni himself, and only Mencius can know it." So scholars have to distinguish again. Du Yu believes that Chunqiu is based on the history of Lu, and the history of Lu is based on the report of the princes. He said: "Zhou De has declined, and the official has not kept it ... because Lu has a written history, he is interested in ceremonies. ..... the existence of religion, the harm of writing, is now announced to correct, as a warning. The rest are old things. " [6] (Left Preface to Notes on the Spring and Autumn Annals) Zhu Yue said: "When a sage writes the Spring and Autumn Annals, he writes straight and sees good and evil." [7] ("Zhuzi Language") Gu said: "Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals was also revised because of the history of Lu, and Zuo Zhuan adopted the history of various countries and was written by the author." [8] ("Rizhilu Volume 4 Spring and Autumn Doubtful Book") Modern scholar Mr. Yang Bojun put forward: "Spring and Autumn Annals is a book of Lu history and has never been revised. ..... Kong Qiu has never studied Chunqiu, let alone written Chunqiu. " [9] (Preface P 13- 15) all think that Chunqiu is related to the history of Lu, and even copied it directly. However, Mr. Yang Bojun also admitted that Confucius had something to do with Chunqiu. He said, "What is the relationship between Chunqiu and Kong Qiu? I think Kong Qiu used Chunqiu as a textbook to teach his disciples. " [3] Mr. Jin also said: "Six Classics, also known as Six Arts, are actually textbooks compiled by Confucius for teaching at that time." [3] This paper agrees with the viewpoint of textbook compilation.

According to "Historical Records Confucius Family", "In fourteen years, he was appointed as the capital of the Western Regions. Confucius said, "Khufu Khufu, a gentleman is ill and nameless. I can't do it. "Why do I want to see myself in the future?" It is because the historical records are Spring and Autumn Annals, from Yin Gong to Ai Gong's 14th year and 12th year. "After two years, Confucius died. At the same time, Confucius' family also said that Confucius wrote Spring and Autumn Annals, "A pen is a pen, and a person in midsummer is not to be praised", while Han Feizi also said that "Spring and Autumn Annals also said,' If a flea is good at holding power, it will be absolutely evil. ","Xia Zi said:' According to the records in the Spring and Autumn Annals, there are more than 10 people who killed their fathers by their ministers' "'”( 10/0) (Han Feizi's foreign reserves said the top right), Xia Zi was a disciple of Confucius in his later years, and the young Confucius was 44 years old. Then we know that Confucius did compile Chunqiu when he abdicated in his later years. Liu Zhiji said: "The author of Spring and Autumn Annals originated from three generations." [1 1] (Shi Jia) This style, especially the continuous records made by historians in more than 200 years, is not "original" by Confucius, which is different from other philosophers who are good at thinking. Liu Xie said: "The philosophers learn the Tao and see their aspirations." [12] (Wen Xin Diao Long Zhuzi) Zhuzi can talk about their ambitions and lobby with empty words, but historians can't. Therefore, Confucius's "works" and "Spring and Autumn Annals" mentioned in the old history cannot be copyrighted "works" in the modern sense. Mr. Yang Bojun once gave an example. Where modern writers think there are praises and denials, in fact, Chunqiu is exactly the same as Jizhong Bamboo Annals [9] (preface P 12- 13). However, it is still possible for Confucius to "abridge" the history of Lu, because a large number of historical materials added by Zuozhuan, a biography of the Spring and Autumn Annals, should also come from the History of Lu, and Confucius omitted it. Mr. Kuang Yaming said: "Confucius taught the Spring and Autumn Annals as a textbook of modern history, which is only a part of the outline;" "As an outline, it can only be an outline, not too extravagant and complicated." [13] (Chapter 9, P363) This article agrees with this statement.

Zuozhuan was previously considered as one of the three biographies of Chunqiu. Ban Gu said: "Zuo Qiuming thought he would pass on skills." [5] (Biography of Han Sima Qian) Liu Zhiji said: "The author of Zuo Zhuan originated from Zuo Qiuming. Confucius wrote the Spring and Autumn Annals, and Qiu Ming handed down the classics. Cover the biography, turn it around, and turn it around to teach future generations; In other words, if you preach, you preach, so you preach the afterlife. " [1 1] (Shi Jia) On Zuo Qiuming's identity, The Analects of Confucius Gongye Chang: "Confucius said:' Miao Yan, courtesy, full respect, shame on Zuo Qiuming, shame on autumn. Sima Qian said, "Zuo Qiuming, a gentleman of Lu, is afraid that all his disciples will be heretics, each with his own ideas and losing his reason. Therefore, due to Confucius' historical records, he wrote Zuo's Spring and Autumn Annals. " [4] (Chronicle of Twelve Governors in Historical Records) Yanhe's Xieji quoted Kong Anguo as saying that Jia Bangu's notes in Hanshu Yiwenzhi and Chunqiu all said, "Zuo Qiuming, Lu Taishi." Sima Zhen's Spring and Autumn Annals said: "The Spring and Autumn Annals, Lu Shi and Zuo Qiuming wrote Biography, a total of 30 articles, so it was called Zuo Zhuan." Liu Zhiji said: "Qiu Ming is a great scholar, and he reads a lot of books, such as Lan Ci, Chronicle, Zhengshu and Jinzhi. These books are indispensable. His biography involves other countries and everything is very detailed. " [1 1 ("Shi Tong Shen Zuo") More than a few scholars believe that Zuo Qiuming's identity is a surname. Judging from Confucius' respect for his virtue in The Analects of Confucius, he should live longer than Confucius. He is not a disciple of Confucius. Sima Qian should call him Mr. Lu. However, due to the large number of Confucius' disciples and the abridged History of Lu, even if he was not a disciple, Zuo Qiuming might still be an abridged biography of Chunqiu by Confucius. Since modern times, many scholars have had doubts about Zuo Qiuming. For example, Mr. Yang Bojun said: "No matter what Zuo Qiuming's surname is, no matter whether Zuo Qiuming is before or at the same time as Confucius, the author of Zuo Zhuan can't be Zuo Qiuming in The Analects of Confucius" [9] (preface P32). In this paper, the author thinks that modern questioning is not enough to deny the old theory. It is completely reasonable for Zuo Qiuming to live in one country with Lu Taishi and Lu Junzi [1 1] (Shi Tong's Zuo Zhuan), thus supplementing a lot of historical materials for Chunqiu.

Regarding the authenticity of Zuo Zhuan, Sikuquanshu summarized and demonstrated: "Learning leads to forest, while disciples continue to die of Confucius;" The story of Zhi Bo's death was almost continued by later generations. There is a saying of "Yang Xiong" in Historical Records and Biography of Sima Xiangru, but it is doubtful that Sima Qian was a post-Han Chinese. Today, it is still designated as Zuo Qiuming's work, in order to dispel public confusion. As for the reasons for his biography, Liu Zhiji's statement that "the bow is a national history" is the most accurate. Abbreviated as' the book of great events is written by the strategist, and the book is written by the book writer; Write a short story and pass it on. ..... The classics have been revised because of the history of the country, which is evidence. [14] (the meaning of Zuo Zhuan in the Spring and Autumn Period) illustrates the possibility that the two works, Spring and Autumn Period and Zuo Zhuan, can be continued by later generations, but it maintains the traditional view of Zuo Zhuan for Zuo Qiuming and demonstrates the nature and historical origin of Zuo Zhuan. Because the relationship between Chunqiu and Zuozhuan is like the "compendium" and "long edition" of later historians, the style and content of these two books were originally written by historians of past dynasties, and it is not difficult to understand the query about the inconsistency of words.

Comparing the three biographies of the Spring and Autumn Annals, Liu Zhiji once said: "Many people in ancient times explained the Spring and Autumn Annals. During the Warring States period, it was rarely heard. At present, in the Han Dynasty, the ram was dedicated, and the emperor announced that Gu Liang was built on learning. When the Emperor arrived, Liu Xin began to pay attention to Zuo's family, but did not list academic officials. ..... As far as it is concerned, the narrator should be headed by Zuo. ..... Gai Zuozhuan has three long meanings, while Erzhuan has five short meanings. ..... But from Tyumen to the end of Wei Dynasty, by the year 2000, thousands of people will be sacrificed and their books will be buried. In the middle of Jin Taikang, Ji Zhong collected books, all of which were the same as Zuo Shi. ..... Because it is a world record, it is no longer true, and its book is gradually moving, without objection. " [1 1] (A masterpiece by Shi Tong) summarizes the ups and downs of the interaction between Zuo Zhuan and Gong Gu, and also reveals their different affiliations in a classic and historical way. Mr. Jiang once outlined: "Zuo Zhuan is not properly attached to Chunqiu, and predecessors have said a lot. Wang said, "The Zuo family has its own opinions, not for the sake of classics." Gao Hu and He Xun also called Zuo Zhuan a history. "The Legacy of Dazhong" and "The Dream of the North" were also published in the Tang Dynasty. He also said: "Zuo Qiuming is a scholar of Lu history, recording current affairs, taking advantage of the sun by the moon, not helping the Bible, but being a great teacher. ..... Speaking of Sima Qian and Ban Gu. "... Zhu also said:" Zuo Zhuan is a historiography, while Gong and Gu are Confucian classics. Ye Mengde said:' Zuo Zhuan's story is not true, although it is detailed, but it may not be true; Gong and Gu Chuanyi don't preach things, because their scriptures are detailed, but righteousness may not be appropriate. "Wu Cheng also said:' Zuo Zhuan is more detailed than Gong and Gu, and Gong and Gu interpret the classics more accurately than Zuo.' Liu Yue said, "Zuo Zhuan is well-informed because of its good historical materials, and it has never been attached to Chunqiu. [15] (Chapter 10 of Classics and Biography of Spring and Autumn Annals requires P 1 15) Mr. Yang Bojun also said: "Zuo Zhuan's interpretation of classics is not like that of Ram and Gu Liang. ..... He Xiu's Yang Gongjie and Yan's Shu ... have the meaning of five beginnings, three subjects, nine aims, seven grades, six supplements, two categories and seven gaps. Now it seems that it is either boring or pedantic superstition. " "In short, Biography of Ram and Biography of Gu Liang are either empty words or strange words, and there are very few specific and valuable historical materials." "However, Zuo Zhuan uses specific historical facts to illustrate or supplement or even modify the scriptures. The style of writing is concise and fluent, and it has become more popular since the Eastern Han Dynasty. Since the Wei and Jin Dynasties, it has overwhelmed the second biography of Ram and Gu Liang. " [9] (Page 26 and 28 of the Preface to P24) is very enlightening. Because although the three biographies are called together, they are actually two systems. Ram and Gu Liang, as disciples, inherited the teacher's knowledge, so they focused on the side of "slightly expressing the righteousness", while Zuo Zhuan, as a supplementary historical material for historians and gentlemen, focused on the side of "good history" and "record", with completely different principles.

After the Western Han Dynasty, there was a dispute between Confucian School and Ancient Chinese School. The parents of ancient prose are exegetical masters, focusing on "seeking truth from facts", and Zuo Zhuan is ancient prose. Therefore, Du Yu said: "Zhou De failed, and the official failed to keep it ... because Lu had a history to test, he was determined by the ceremony. ..... the existence of religion, the harm of writing, is now announced to correct, as a warning. The rest are old things. " [6] ("Zuo Zhuan Chun Qiu Zhuan Xu") thinks that the Spring and Autumn Period is based on the history of Lu, and the history of Lu is based on the vassal's service to the country. Today's writers mainly focus on "micro-expressing meaning", and Ram and Gu Liang are today's works, so He Xiu and others focus on explaining "three topics and nine aims". Pi Xirui, a modern writer in the Qing Dynasty, said: "The Spring and Autumn Annals is the old name of Lu, only its words have no meaning ... Since Confucius added a compliment, it has become a later Wang Lifa, and then Spring and Autumn Annals is more than just a note." [16] (History of Confucian Classics-A Pioneering Era of Confucian Classics, P 19-20) "According to historical records, Chunqiu is different from later generations, but its explanation is unique and detailed. It is more important to cover up and emphasize the achievements of Confucius in writing Chunqiu than to delete and revise the classics, and it is more important than Mencius saying that Confucius wrote Chunqiu. His theory of righteousness in the Spring and Autumn Annals is also consistent with Mencius and Ram. Then I know it is necessary to say that the ram family has three subjects and nine uses. " [16] (History of Confucian Classics-A Pioneering Era of Confucian Classics, P45) even thinks: "Before Confucius, there was no Confucian Classics, but there was Confucian Classics, which can be seen in Zuo Zhuan." [16] (History of Confucian Classics-A Pioneering Era of Confucian Classics, P30) That is to say, the "righteousness" revealed by Confucius was included before the Six Classics were called "Classics".

Although Pi's words inevitably have his position of studying Confucian classics, they are also reasonable. In fact, since the Qin and Han Dynasties, all departments in the history circle have recognized Zuo Zhuan, except Ram and Gu Liang. Ban Gu said, "Since ancient times, there have been historians ... Confucius wrote the Spring and Autumn Annals because of Lu's Historical Records, but Zuo Qiuming thought it was handed down from ancient times when he compiled it" [5] (the biography of Sima Qian in Han Dynasty), that is, Confucius and Zuo Qiuming both had the qualifications of historians, but Ram and he did not. Liu Zhiji said that there are six schools and two styles of historical works, including Spring and Autumn Annals and Zuo Zhuan. Ram is different from Gu Liang. On the other hand, in the Warring States and Han Dynasties, all schools of Confucian classics recognized Ram and Gu Liang, but did not recognize Zuo Zhuan. Confucius talked to himself, Xia Zi talked about the Spring and Autumn Annals, and Mencius talked about Sima Qian and Ban Gu. The interpretation of "Yi Wei Yan" should be more in line with Confucius' original intention. Mr. Jin said: "This work of Confucius is very political. ..... in the words commonly used today, it is to truly serve the politics at that time. " [3](P25) This article agrees with this statement.

In a word, Chunqiu has two properties. Zhu Yue said, "The book" Spring and Autumn Annals "is recorded on the left. At that time, there was chaos, and the sage wrote it according to the facts. Its gains and losses were put into public discussion by later generations, which implied something. If necessary, between words, seek praise and blame, steal it. " Mr. Jiang said: "Confucius wrote Chunqiu with Lv Chunqiu, which is nothing more than Jin prose. His prose is mostly the same as Lv Shi, so it is roughly the same as Cheng of Jin and Lang Lang of Chu. Only its meaning, then the meaning of Confucius, not only for "riding" and "Yao", but also for "Lv Chunqiu". This is the reason why Chunqiu is classic. " Commenting on Liu Zhiji, he said: "Liu is a historian, not a scholar. He was right to criticize Zuo Shi with historiography. It is wrong to criticize Chunqiu with history. " [ 15](P 1 16、 106- 107)

However, Confucius' so-called "micro-speech and righteousness" actually has its own origin. It is not unique to Confucian classics, but also a tradition of ancient historiography. If "good history" and "true record" represent the basic principles of ancient historiography, "subtle meaning" represents the highest realm of ancient historiography. From ancient times to the present, China's historiography has been in parallel with the two traditions of "factual record" and "historical criticism"; In other words, "good history" and "record" are the body, and "micro-words are useful". Liu Zhiji once said in his masterpiece Doubting the Ancient Classics: "There are two ways to distinguish ancient historians, one is to memorize words, and the other is to memorize them. What the ancients learned was headed by words. Such as the canon, the letters patent of Shang and Zhou, the words of Zhong You and Zhou Ren, the words of Shi Mi and Zang, all those who chat, are experts, offer suggestions and write books are all cited as a line, and their approval documents shall prevail. It doesn't help. ..... contained in the book, give priority to with words, as for waste xing, never remember one. Words can win the battle! Therefore, future generations have always said that it is not easy to understand the affairs of emperors below Tang Yu. " Then he said, "Zuo's family is also a biography. Although it is a righteous interpretation of this classic, its language is mixed with other things. So the Confucians in the Han Dynasty became enemies. Therefore, the second biography is well-known and famous for future generations. In addition, Confucius' writings also show that the Analects of Confucius is devoted to writing, and family language is also a cause, but since ancient times, disciples have taught each other, which is called the Analects. From Sri Lanka's point of view, it is also clear that the ancients emphasized things. ..... According to the history of Lu, there is also Spring and Autumn Annals. Being a saint outside, being a country inside, everything is hidden. Si is the motto of Duke Zhou, but why does Chunqiu lie in the Six Classics? " [1 1] (Shigu) then listed ten hidden historical events in Shangshu. In another famous article criticizing Confucius, Confused Classics, he said: "Zhao assassinated the king, but called him dead; Jiang Yi lost the cloth, saying that it was stolen by Yin. In this way, people of insight in the Spring and Autumn Period are implicitly expressing their words, saying that Skye was a constant thing at that time, and the customs were vulgar, while Ban Guyun' Zhong Ni didn't say anything'. Is it only to declare the father's evil when reading the works in words? " [1 1] (Shi Tong Confused Classic) then lists 12 "unknown" and 5 "false beauty" in Chunqiu. Although his theory aims at criticizing the concealment and ethereal beauty of Confucian classics, it can also prove that there was a long tradition of "whispering" before Confucius and in the times of Yu Xia and Duke Zhou.

According to Pi, the tradition of "Wei Yan" is to bring it into the category of Confucian classics, and distinguish the Spring and Autumn Annals from three meanings: content, literature and meaning. According to Liu Zhiji, it is included in historiography, and there are two genres to distinguish historiography: "taking words" and "taking notes". According to Du Yu, Confucius is "the law of inheriting the legacy of the Duke of Zhou and inheriting the future." ..... Duke Zhou's ambition, which Zhong Ni clearly showed. [6] (Du Yu's Preface to Zuo Zhuan's Biography in the Spring and Autumn Period) means that Confucius inherited the Duke of Zhou. According to Sima Tan and Qian's father and son, "As a scholar, don't forget what I want to write ... After seclusion, the kingship is missing and the rites and music are declining. Confucius repaired the old and abolished it. So far, scholars have made great achievements in Poetry, Book and Spring and Autumn Annals. It has been more than 400 years since Lin was awarded, and the princes are in the same position, and the historical books are released. [4] (Historical Records Taishi Gongxu), Ban Gu said, "There was a historian of kings in ancient times ... Zuo Shijie said, and the official records are called Spring and Autumn Annals and Shangshu, and the emperors are different. Zhou Shi was small, and his records were incomplete. Zhong Nisi preserved the legacy of the former "[5] (History of Han, Art and Literature), and then Confucius compiled the Spring and Autumn Annals, claiming to be a historian. According to Du Yuzhi's theory, the so-called Duke of Zhou also refers to the official historian system established by Duke of Zhou, and its whole set of etiquette and kingliness can also be embodied through this official historian system. Therefore, as far as the system and responsibilities of historians are concerned, it can also be said that the tradition of advocating small discussions and emphasizing the interpretation of historical lessons in China's ancient historiography is represented by Confucius and carried forward.

See: /confius/cqzzykzdsxdw.htm for details.

Six Classics: The Six Classics are the Book of Changes, History, Shu, Li, Yue (now lost) and The Spring and Autumn Annals (The Chronicle of Lu, which began in 722 BC and ended in 479 BC when Confucius died). The nature of these classics can be known from their titles, with the exception of Yi. The Book of Changes was interpreted by later Confucianism as a school work, but it was originally a divination book.

What is the relationship between Confucius and the Six Classics? There are two schools of thought in traditional academic circles. One school thinks that the Six Classics are all the works of Confucius. Another school thinks that Confucius is the author of Chunqiu, the annotator of Yi, the reviser of Li and Yue, and the editor of Shi and Shu.

But in fact, Confucius is neither an author nor an annotator, nor even an editor. To be sure, he is a conservative who keeps the tradition in many ways. He really wants to revise the rites and music, that is, to correct all standards and practices that deviate from tradition. Such examples are common in The Analects of Confucius. Judging from the legends about Confucius in The Analects of Confucius, he never intended to write anything for future generations. At that time, I hadn't heard of any private books. Private works developed after the Confucius era, and there were only official works before him. He is the first private teacher in China, not the first private writer in China.