Confucius and the Book of Songs

Let's delve into one of Confucius' remarkable contributions: The Book of Songs. In ancient China, poetry thrived, with countless works emerging over the years. The government continuously collected and classified these poems, preserving some while discarding others. From this process, The Book of Songs was born. Renowned historian Sima Qian estimated that it contained over 3,000 poems authorized by the government.

Confucius took on the task of selecting and refining this vast collection. He used a criterion that emphasized the importance of "rites, benevolence, and education." As a result, the collection dwindled to 305 poems, all of which were set to music. It became a treasured compilation, embodying the values and teachings that Confucius held dear.