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Primary sourceBook1879

The Sacred Books of China: The Texts of Confucianism

James Legge · 1879

A scholarly English translation of core Confucian texts, including the Shu King, Yi King, and Li Ki, attributed to Confucius.

These are English translations of texts attributed to Confucius, forming a key primary source collection for studying his teachings.

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The Sacred Books of China: The Texts of ConfucianismPDF · 524 pages
James Legge (trans.), The Sacred Books of China: The Texts of Confucianism, 1879. Internet Archive scan.

About this source

What it is

This 1879 volume is part of the Sacred Books of the East series, translated by the scholar James Legge. It contains English translations of ancient Chinese texts linked to Confucius, including the Shu King, parts of the Shih King, the Hsiao King, the Yi King, and the Li Ki. The scanned copy is held by the Internet Archive.

Why it matters

These texts form part of the core writings associated with Confucianism, the system of thought built on the teachings of Confucius. Legge's translation introduced these classical Chinese works to English-speaking readers and remains a major scholarly resource for studying Confucian philosophy and its influence on Chinese society.

Look closer

  • Why might a translator from a different culture and century shape how we understand Confucius today?
  • What might be lost or changed when ancient Chinese texts are translated into English?
  • Why do you think these texts were grouped together as

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