Analects

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: [ˈæ.nəˌlɛk(t)s]

Definitions

1. A compilation of chosen sayings or teachings that embody ethical, philosophical, or moral insights for reflection and guidance
2. An assortment of significant quotes or principles attributed to a thinker, meant to foster understanding and moral contemplation
3. A collection of selected teachings or sayings that encapsulate moral, philosophical, or ethical wisdom intended for instruction and reflection

Etymology: The most famous "analects" are the sayings attributed to Confucius, but the English word itself is far older than its association with China. It was first recorded in 1658, borrowed from Ancient Greek "análekta", meaning "things chosen" or "things gathered up." The Greek comes from "ana-", meaning "up," combined with "légō", meaning "I gather," the same root that gives English "lecture," which originally meant a reading or selection drawn from a text. The sense of the Greek word was therefore simply a collection of selected pieces, gathered up from a larger body of material. That literal idea of gathering is what the English term keeps: an analects is a set of chosen passages, not a continuous work written by one author.