Xinyan Cao

The Analects of Confucius has long been regarded as the principal texts of Confucianism in China, and the concept of “Ren as the Fundamental” it proposes, including “Ren is the love towards others”, “Ren is the reason of love and the virtue of the heart” and “be true and forgiving” has great influences on all aspects of Chinese culture. The Art of War, an ancient Chinese military treatise, has been perceived by a few as the advocate of conspiracy and political trickery, the book which “speaks deception over Ren”. However, if one takes a closer look, one will see the concept of Ren within, in a way subtle yet provoking. Ren, no matter in The Analects of Confucius or in The Art of War, is a philosophical concept with various connotations. The concept of “Ren” in both works implies “the love for others”, only in ways and senses somehow different.

Renin,The Analects of Confucius and The Art of War similarities and differences of the concept of “Ren”

[1] Xu Shen (author), Xu Xuan (revised): Shuo Wen Jie Zi [M]. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company, 2011. [2] Fang Yurun: The Original Book of Songs [M]. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company, 2012. [3] Zhu Xi: Four books chapters and sentences notes [M]. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company, 2011. [4] Chen Xi Note: Sun Tzus Art of War [M]. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company, 2015. [5] CONFUCIUS. The analects of Confucius[M]. WATSON trans. New York：Columbia University Press,2007.

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