The Shujing, or Book of Documents, is one of the oldest and most influential classics of Chinese civilization. Compiled over centuries during the Shang and Zhou dynasties, it gathers a collection of royal speeches, political proclamations, moral instructions, and early historical records that shaped the foundations of Chinese governance and statecraft.

Far more than a historical anthology, the Shujing articulates the ethical vision that guided early rulers: the Mandate of Heaven, the moral responsibilities of leadership, and the belief that political power is legitimate only when exercised with virtue. Each chapter reflects a world where ritual, authority, and cosmic order were deeply intertwined, revealing how ancient societies imagined the relationship between humans, ancestors, and the divine order.

This modern edition presents a renewed reading of a foundational text that influenced Confucian philosophy, imperial governance, and East Asian culture for over two millennia. The Shujing remains a profound lens for understanding the origins of political ethics, state ritual, and moral responsibility—ideas that continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about leadership and legitimacy.

The Shujing is a collective work compiled across several centuries. Traditionally linked to Confucius, it incorporates documents attributed to legendary rulers such as Yao, Shun, and Yu the Great, as well as early Zhou kings. Its formation reflects the combined voices of scribes, court historians, and ritual scholars.