Teaching Notes!

The Analects were written by Confucius's pupils during the period 30 to 50 years after his death. In the Analects, Confucius presents himself as a "transmitter who invented nothing." He puts the greatest emphasis on the importance of study, and today I will analysis the thoughts arise in the Analects which concern with studying.
First of all, Confucius thinks the most important thing about studying is the attitude. The Master said, "They who know the truth are not equal to those tho love it, and they who love it are not equal to those who delight in it." Only if people love it and feel happy about it, they can learn it very well. The Master also said, "When I walk along with two others, they may serve me as my teacher. I will select their good qualities and follow them, their bad qualities and avoid them." Anybody in this world has the advantages others may not have, so, be unambitious to learn from others is a good attitude to study.
Secondly, about the methods of studying. The Master said, "Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous." This lesson instruct students that they should combine the learning and thinking together, and they should do some practice after studying.
Thirdly, about the contents of studying. Confucius claims that the contents of studying should be extensive. There are four things he sets as his outline of studying-letters, ethics, devotion of soul, and truthfulness. He teaches knowledges, also teaches his students to keep good personality such as morality, loyalty and faithfulness. These four things are important to others and to the students themselves.
Fourthly, about the purpose of studying. The Master said, "The leaving virtue without proper cultivation; the not thoroughly discussing what is learned; not being able to change what is not good; -these are the things which occasion me solicitude." If people did not build their morality and did not review the lessons they learned, that's the thing we are worried about. If people heard about the right thing and they cannot do it, or have the mistakes which cannot be correct, that's also the thing we should worried about. From this point, we know that the purpose of studying is not to memorize the books, and the purpose is to practice the knowledge we have learned from books.
The Analects has concerned about many aspects of the culture, literature, and philosophy about ancient China. I analysis one aspect about how to study. It shows the relationship between learning and practicing, and the pursue of truth and morality. The Analects helps teachers to educate a lot of students who are both knowledgable and virtuous.