The Timeless Laws for Reading the Times (Part Ⅱ)

We live in an age of upheaval, where truth and justice tremble. The pace of change has never been faster, and with it, the moral and spiritual core of humanity wavers. Technology grows more sophisticated, yet the human heart becomes increasingly anxious. Data is believed to be more accurate than emotion, artificial intelligence replaces human thought, and profit takes precedence over justice. Society is fragmented, politics overflows with hypocrisy, and organizations trapped in conflicts lose their moral compass. Fraud and corruption, hatred and distrust have become the language of everyday life. The true crisis of our time is not technological advancement but humanity’s loss of direction.
It is precisely in such times that we must return to the roots of humanity. The Analects is not a mere classic text?it is a philosophical compass for restoring humanity and society amid confusion and conflict. Confucius saw the potential for change not in systems but in human morality; he valued virtue over power, righteousness over profit, and harmony over competition. His teachings breathe even more vividly today, in an age when political crises, organizational corruption, and social mistrust intersect.
The essence of The Analects lies not in eloquence but in authentic action. In a time overflowing with words, it is the weight of deeds that builds trust. The wisdom of Confucius is not limited to leaders in politics and organizations; it is also a guide for ordinary people to live successful and harmonious lives.
What we must learn is not simply how to change, but how to accept and lead change. The Analects teaches this very art?the wisdom to endure and flourish against the tides of time. Although written 2,500 years ago, its essence diagnoses today’s crises and illuminates the path forward. To read The Analects is not to study the past but to cultivate the human art of preparing for the future.
「Analects Commentary」. This new work takes a step further, reconstructing The Analects as a guidebook for life and moral action. While many commentaries have remained within philosophical interpretation, 「The Wisdom to Read the Times」 expands Confucian thought into practical modern dimensions, integrating examples from history, philosophy, literature, psychology, education, and management.
Drawing from both Eastern and Western classics, modern psychology, management theory, and literature, it explores how the wisdom of The Analects continues to live and breathe in our contemporary world. This commentary transcends disciplinary boundaries, offering a comprehensive exploration of human existence and the philosophy of action. It presents The Analects not as an abstract moral scripture but as a living manual of practical wisdom. Each chapter connects to themes of life and leadership, self-reflection and ethics, and the essence of human relationships, reviving Confucius’ teachings in the realities of modern life.
The teachings of The Analects are thus reborn?not as ancient lessons, but as living wisdom for personal growth, organizational ethics, and the rebuilding of social trust.
The Wisdom to Read the Times series consists of three volumes. series is composed of three volumes:
? Part I: The Wisdom of Life and Moral Insight ? Explores human nature, moral origins, and the realization of benevolence in daily life.
? Part II: Political Philosophy and Leadership of Virtue ? Investigates the principles of governance, trust, the harmony of rites and music, and leadership guided by moral virtue.
? Part III: The Wisdom to Read the Times ? Explores self-reflection, scholarly cultivation, and the moral path of humanity in an ever-changing world.
This series does not stop at a humanistic or philosophical interpretation of The Analects. It is a work of modern humanities grounded in interdisciplinary synthesis?combining historical insight, philosophical reflection, literary sensitivity, psychological analysis, and managerial application into a coherent whole.
True learning does not accumulate in the mind but is engraved in the heart?and it manifests when what is learned is applied to reality. Transcending time and inspiring countless disciplines, The Analects offers enduring guidance for restoring harmony in turbulent times and rebuilding the integrity of human life.
Through this work, the author hopes readers will move beyond the mere joy of “learning and studying” to walk the living path of wisdom?realizing and practicing the teachings of The Analects in their own lives.