The Book of Documents
The Book of Documents (also known as the Classic of History) is one of the "Five Classics" of Confucianism and the earliest collection of historical documents in China. It primarily records political announcements, instructions, oaths, and commands from high antiquity to the Spring and Autumn period. It is not only a precious historical source for ancient political thought but also an important origin of Chinese prose development, possessing irreplaceable value for understanding early state governance and the ethics of ruler and minister.
Traditionally, the Book of Documents is divided into sections including the Book of Yu, the Book of Xia, the Book of Shang, and the Book of Zhou. Famous chapters such as "Canon of Yao," "Canon of Shun," "Tribute of Yu," "Great Plan," "Announcement about Drunkenness," and "Announcement at Luo" touch upon themes such as abdication, flood control, tribute, penal law, the Mandate of Heaven, and rule by virtue. Its language is archaic and profound, yet many passages—such as "to make bright one's illustrious virtue," "hold fast the Mean," and "the people are the root of the state; when the root is secure, the state is at peace"—have become core expressions of Chinese political ethics.
During the process of transmission, genuine and forged texts of the Book of Documents became mixed. The "Old Text Documents" presented by Mei Ze was later identified as a forgery by scholars such as Yan Ruoqu. Among the fifty-eight received chapters, a vast amount of scholarly work has been devoted to distinguishing the genuine from the forged. Nevertheless, its value as a collection of ancient political documents remains highly esteemed. Throughout the ages, commentaries such as Kong Anguo's Transmission and Cai Chen's Collected Commentaries on the Book of Documents have had a profound influence.
As a text among the Five Classics that directly addresses state governance, the Book of Documents reveals early Chinese political culture's contemplation of the Mandate of Heaven, rule by virtue, the foundation of the people, and institutions. Reading this book allows one to approach the political ideals and historical memories of the formative period of Chinese civilization.