The Book of Songs covers history, politics, military affairs, agriculture and animal husbandry, religion, ethics, geography, animals and plants, and common sense of life. It was an encyclopedia at that time. Confucius used it to educate his disciples, repeatedly emphasizing the social function of The Book of Songs and the significance of learning. An important use of poetry at that time was as a textbook.
Confucius emphasized the use of The Book of Songs, which he used to educate his disciples and children.