# XXV explained — Analects

> Chapter companion for Analects by Confucius.

## What happens

Confucius evaluates two musical compositions, the Shâo and the Wû, commenting on their aesthetic beauty and moral goodness.

## Character check-ins

### Confucius

Evaluates the Shâo and Wû in terms of beauty and goodness.

## Key lines

> The Master said of the Shâo that it was perfectly beautiful and also perfectly good. He said of the Wû that it was perfectly beautiful but not perfectly good.

Confucius praised the Shâo as both aesthetically perfect and morally excellent, while he considered the Wû aesthetically perfect but lacking in moral perfection.

_This reflects Confucius's emphasis on the integration of beauty and virtue._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se/chapters