Confucius: The Essential Analects; Books 9,10, and 16

I think that what is different between books 9 and 10 (although especially 10) is that they talk more about the Master and his habits, for people to use as guidance and a model of how they should behave.

Unfortunately, some of them don't apply much anymore, because our habits and culture have changed, such as, "He would not sit unless his mat was straight." (10.12). Actually, I revise my opinion. These principles can still be applied to us, if not interpreted so literally. The quote I just said cold be interpreted to mean that you have to be neat, or 10.23 could mean that you should only be truly grateful for a gift if it benefits someone else, not just you. All of the sayings in Book 10 can actually in some way be modified to give us advice on how to behave today.

Book 9 also tells stories about the Master's life, although near the end he reverts back to general wisdom.

"Zigong said, 'If you possessed a piece of a beautiful jade, would you hide it away in a locked box, or would you try to sell it at a good price?'
The Master responded, 'Oh, I would sell it! I would sell it! I am just waiting for the right offer!'" (9.13)

I wonder about this anecdote. Does it mean that if you have something beautiful, you shouldn't hide it away but share it with everyone, or that something is only worth what you can get for it. That is to say, the piece of jade isn't worth anything in itself, but the money you can get for it is. If that's what it means, I disagree. Things or people or events can be great just to have around, because they're fun/interesting, not because of what you can get from them.

"The Master said, 'Surely there are some sprouts that fail to flower, just as surely as there are some flowers that fail to bear fruit!'" (9.22)

I agree with this saying. There are many people who never manage to become smart, kind, responsible, and those that do don't always become Good, even though they had the potential. Something I find very interesting is that you always hear about people, "S/he didn't use his/her potential," but you rarely hear about anyone, "S/he used up his full potential." I wonder why it is that so few people ever become all that they could have become.

Book 16 was different because Confucius talked about things in3's a lot (three things a Good man stands in awe of, three kind of good joys and friendships, and three kinds of bad joys and friendships.

I found 16.13 funny. It was almost like a joke, a fool talks, a wise man listens to himself, restates what he learned, then makes fun of the fool, which is the punch line.

I didn't like 16.9. I think that people who've had to work hardest to understand are the best, because they've put more effort into it and have had to work harder, whereas those who understand things naturally have no problem with everything and don't have to work as hard as the others. That's why I think that people should respect not-so-smart people who get grades nearly as good as geniuses more than those geniuses. They've worked harder, and have proven more about their character.

In conclusion, I think the main difference between these particular chapters and all the others is that in all the other chapters it was general wisdom, kind of observations about life in general, whereas these chapters actually gave you advice on how you should live your daily life, what kind of friends and pleasures you should have, and how you should treat the people around you. That's why we read these chapters separately.