Four Books and Five Classics

The "Four Books and Five Classics" are foundational texts of Confucianism, essential to Chinese culture and philosophy. The Four Books include "The Great Learning," "The Doctrine of the Mean," "The Analects" (sayings of Confucius), and "Mencius" (teachings of Mencius). The Five Classics comprise important historical and philosophical works: "The Classic of Poetry," "The Book of Documents," "The Book of Rites," "The I Ching" (Book of Changes), and "The Spring and Autumn Annals." Together, they outline moral principles, governance, and personal conduct, influencing Chinese thought for centuries and serving as guides for personal and societal harmony.