Confucius books in order
5th-century BCE Chinese philosopher and politician
- Lived
- 550 BC–478 BC
- Country
- China
- Books
- 1
Confucius published 1 book. The best-known is Great Learning.
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Confucius
Start here
Great Learning
Confucius's most-read book.
Other books in order
Great Learning (2000), with Zengzi
Free to read
All free classics
About Confucius
Confucius, born Kong Qiu, was a Chinese philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period who is traditionally considered the paragon of Chinese sages. Much of the shared cultural heritage of the Sinosphere originates in the philosophy and teachings of Confucius. His philosophical teachings, called Confucianism, emphasized personal and governmental morality, harmonious social relationships, righteousness, kindness, sincerity, and a ruler's responsibilities to lead by virtue.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Confucius FAQ
- How many books has Confucius written?
- Confucius published 1 book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Confucius's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Great Learning.
- What is Confucius's most famous book?
- Great Learning is Confucius's most widely read book.
- Can I read Confucius's books for free?
- Yes. 5 books by Confucius are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Confucius
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.