New Thai Translation of Confucius Philosophy for Beginners Released
A Thai translation of Confucius’ philosophy for beginners, translated by Sak Borom and published by Sammit, is now available for 90 baht. The book explains how Confucius’ teachings, though often seen as dull, aim to cultivate virtuous leaders and have been respected worldwide for over two thousand years. It highlights his focus on the five fundamental relationships and his teaching method of dialogue, similar to Socrates and the Buddha.
Confucius Philosophy (For Beginners) translated by Sak Borom, published by Sammit Publishing, price 90 baht. For over two thousand years, Confucius’s teachings — often seen as rigid and tedious — have continued to be honored worldwide. Though many still find his words long‑winded and irritating, full of minutiae, they conceal deep meaning that is hard to fathom. Nevertheless, it is clear that his true purpose was to train his disciples to become capable, virtuous leaders and administrators. He did not aim beyond this; yet because his teachings match what people want — knowledge, ability, honesty and firm moral grounding — they have been extolled by seekers of learning for more than two millennia. Confucius, China’s great moral master, is well known in Thailand. He was not only the first educator and teacher in Chinese history to set up a school, but also the first professional teacher who collected tuition from his students. His philosophy emphasizes interpersonal relations, epitomized by the ‘five bonds’: father‑son, husband‑wife, elder‑younger sibling, friend‑friend, and ruler‑subject, which together cover family, society and the nation. Confucius taught through debate and philosophical discussion, a method akin to that of Socrates and the Buddha, except that his dialogues were not recorded directly by him but by close disciples. He had about three thousand followers, roughly seventy of whom are regarded as knowledgeable and widely respected; they preserved his teachings in the form of teacher‑student dialogues. This volume offers a life‑scene layout and influential ideas that have impacted global society, intended for readers who strive to understand profound yet lengthy philosophy, to know Confucius personally, and to adopt selected teachings to enhance both private life and professional performance.
