Editing Chinese classics (section)

=== Four Books ===
[[File:Zhu xi.jpg|thumb|[[Zhu Xi]] selected the list of four books in the Song dynasty.]]
The '''Four Books''' ({{zhi|t=四書|p=Sìshū}}) are texts illustrating the core value and belief systems in [[Confucianism]]. They were selected by [[Zhu Xi]] (1130–1200) during the [[Song dynasty]] to serve as general introduction to Confucian thought, and they were, in the [[Ming dynasty|Ming]] and [[Qing dynasty|Qing]] dynasties, made the core of the official curriculum for the civil service examinations.<ref name="Gardner">Daniel K. Gardner. ''The Four Books: The Basic Teachings of the Later Confucian Tradition''. Indianapolis: Hackett, 2007. {{ISBN|978-0-872-20826-1}}.</ref>
They are:

; ''[[Great Learning]]''
: Originally one chapter in the ''[[Book of Rites]]''. It consists of a short main text attributed to [[Confucius]] and nine commentary chapters by [[Zengzi]], one of the [[disciples of Confucius]]. Its importance is illustrated by Zengzi's foreword that this is the gateway of learning. It is significant because it expresses many themes of Chinese philosophy and political thinking, and has therefore been extremely influential both in classical and modern Chinese thought. Government, self-cultivation and investigation of things are linked.

; ''[[Doctrine of the Mean]]''
: Another chapter in ''Book of Rites'', attributed to Confucius's grandson [[Zisi]]. The purpose of this small, 33-chapter book is to demonstrate the usefulness of a golden way to gain perfect [[virtue]]. It focuses on the [[Tao]] that is prescribed by a heavenly mandate not only to the ruler but to everyone. To follow these heavenly instructions by learning and teaching will automatically result in a Confucian virtue of ''[[De (Chinese)|de]]''. Because Heaven has laid down what is the way to perfect virtue, it is not that difficult to follow the steps of the holy rulers of old if one only knows what is the right way.

; ''[[Analects]]''
: Thought to be a compilation of speeches by Confucius and his disciples, as well as the discussions they held.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Confucius Beyond the ''Analects'' |last=Hunter |first=Michael |pages=4–8 |series=Studies in the History of Chinese Texts|volume=7 |publisher=Brill |year=2017 |isbn=978-9-004-33902-6 |doi=10.1163/9789004339026_002}}</ref> Since Confucius's time, the ''Analects'' has heavily influenced the philosophy and moral values of China and later other East Asian countries as well. The [[imperial examinations]], started in the [[Sui dynasty]] and eventually abolished with the founding of the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]], emphasized Confucian studies and expected candidates to quote and apply the words of Confucius in their essays.

; ''[[Mencius (book)|Mencius]]''
: A collection of conversations of the scholar [[Mencius]] with kings of his time. In contrast to the sayings of Confucius, which are short and self-contained, the ''Mencius'' consists of long dialogues with extensive prose.