Exploring the Analects
Elliott Bernstein
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S1E17 Don’t Call a Tail a Leg (6.25)
A seven-character riddle about a ritual wine vessel becomes a lesson in why names matter. In passage 6.25, Confucius picks up a 觚 (gū) — a tall, angular bronze cup designed to make you drink slowly —…
S1E16 A River Without Banks is a Swamp
What is ritual really for? In this episode, four passages reveal why Confucius cared less about jade, silk, bells, and drums — and more about the bonds that wholehearted participation creates.We…
S1E15 Is Greed Ever Good? (4.12, 4.16)
Is Confucius against profit? Two short passages from Book 4 take on one of the most common misconceptions about Confucianism.In passage 4.12, Confucius warns that acting purely for personal advantage…
S2E2 EXEMPLARS: The Jade Disk Returns to Zhao
When the ruthless King of Qin demands Zhao's most sacred treasure — the flawless jade disk known as the hé shì bì — in exchange for 15 cities he has no intention of giving, a humble scholar turned…
S1E14 Golden Handcuffs & Pearls Before Swine (7.12, 9.13)
The Mohists called the Confucians lazy, self-indulgent, and greedy — were they right? In this episode, we explore two passages about wealth, work, and knowing your worth.Confucius says he'd take an…
S2E1 EXEMPLARS: The Rooster's Crow and The Dog Thief (鸡鸣狗盗)
A retelling of the classic Chinese historical tale of Lord Meng Chang, a generous prince who believed every person had a talent worth cultivating — and whose unlikely band of friends ended up saving…
S1E13 In Days of Old When Kings Were Bold (4.8, 19.22)
Confucius spent his life trying to revive the Way of the ancient sage kings. In this episode, we explore his most famous lament — "Having in the morning heard that the Way was being put into…
S1E12 Hiding Behind a Smile (1.3, 6.16)
Confucius had a front-row seat to one of the messiest love triangles in ancient Chinese history. A prince so beautiful the Duke didn't care he was sleeping with his wife. A priest so smooth-tongued…
S1E11 The Village Worthy (13.24, 17.13)
Ever met someone so universally liked that you can't quite figure out what they actually stand for? Someone who's nice to everyone, never ruffles feathers, and somehow has zero enemies? Confucius had…
S1E10 Winner Takes All (15.36, 15.37)
Ever played a game where the only way to win is to screw over your friends? Where the rules basically force everyone to act like animals because one person's gain is another person's loss? Confucius…
S1E9 In the Trenches (15.4)
Got a friend who's always ready to throw hands? Someone whose first instinct when things go sideways is to start swinging? Confucius had a student like that—a wild child who showed up wearing rooster…
S1E8 Disclaimer: Serving Suggestion (13.27)
Ever been fooled by a frozen dinner box? The photo shows perfectly crispy mac and cheese next to a full turkey dinner with all the fixings. You get home, tear it open, and discover... a sad little…
S1E7 Somebody Needs a Vacation (10.10, 10.21, 10.24)
Does your boss talk with his mouth full, then fall asleep mid-sentence? Does he wake up standing at attention like he's receiving a medal, then march past everyone without saying good morning?…
S1E6 The Corner Office (6.1)
Could someone from a "nobody" family really deserve the corner office? In 6th-century BCE China, the answer was supposed to be no—but Confucius had other ideas. In this sixth episode, host Elliott…
S1E5 Won't you be my neighbor? (4.25)
Won't you be my neighbor? It's a simple question from a children's TV show—but Confucius asked something similar 2,500 years earlier, and he meant it as a test of your character. In this fifth…
S1E4 Use Your Words (15.41)
When your toddler throws a tantrum, you tell them to "use your words." Turns out Confucius said something similar 2,500 years ago—but he was worried about the opposite problem. In this fourth…
S1E3 Parking Reserved for Employee of the Year (10.12)
Would you take the "Employee of the Year" parking spot if no one was looking? In this third episode, host Elliott Bernstein explores passage 10.12—just five characters about where Confucius would and…
S1E2 Teachers Aren’t Gatekeepers (15.39)
In 6th-century BCE China, education was a privilege of the elite. Confucius had other ideas. In this second episode, host Elliott Bernstein digs into passage 15.39—just four characters that upended…
S1E1 Don't Be a Tool (2.12)
What did Confucius mean when he said a good person shouldn't be a "vessel"? In this first episode, host Elliott Bernstein unpacks passage 2.12—just four characters that carry 2,500 years of meaning.…
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Exploring the Analects has published 19 episodes since December 2025, covering topics in Philosophy, Society & Culture.
Exploring the Analects is currently moderate with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 24m.
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