The Analects – Chapter 173 (7.25). The four pillars of Confucian pedagogy

7.25

The Master took four subjects for his teaching: culture, conduct of affairs, loyalty to superiors and the keeping of promises.

子以四教：文，行，忠，信。

Notes

This framework from the Analects reveals Confucius’ holistic education philosophy—merging scholarly knowledge with practical ethics, while balancing inner virtue and social accountability.

• Culture: Intellectual mastery & humanistic literacy
• Conduct: Aligning deeds with principles
• Devotion: Integrity in service (e.g., to ruler/cause)
• Trust: Uncompromising credibility

“Broadly learn the cultural classics, and restrain yourself with the norms of propriety – then you may avoid deviating from the right path.”(Analects 6.27)

To broaden one’s knowledge through cultural classics and regulate one’s conduct with propriety, so as not to depart from the correct way, this constitutes the core requirement of the “education in cultural scholarship”.

“First put your words into practice, and then speak about them.”(Analects 2.13)

To act before speaking, and oppose the discrepancy between words and deeds, this is the fundamental principle of the “education in moral practice”.

Zengzi said: “I reflect on myself three times a day: Have I been loyal when acting on behalf of others? Have I been trustworthy in interactions with friends? Have I practiced what I have been taught?”(Analects 1.4)

Taking “being loyal when acting on behalf of others” as the primary content of daily self-reflection highlights the self-cultivation value of “loyalty”.

“A person without trustworthiness – how can we make sense of them?”(Analects 2.22)

A person cannot establish himself without trustworthiness, which emphasizes that “trustworthiness” is the foundation of one’s being.