Mencius - Softcover

D. C. Lau

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9622018513 ISBN 13: 9789622018518

Publisher: Chinese University Press, 2003

Synopsis

Mencius, who lived in the 4th century B.C., is second only to Confucius in importance in the Confucian tradition. The Mencius consists of sayings of Mencius and conversations he had with his contemporaries. When read side by side with the Analects, the Mencius throws a great deal of light on the teachings of Confucius. Mencius developed many of the ideas of Confucius and at the same time discussed problems not touched upon by Confucius. He drew out the implications of Confucius' moral principles and reinterpreted them for the conditions of his time. As the fullest of the four great Confucian texts, the Mencius has been required reading among Chinese scholars for two thousand years, and it still throws considerable light on the character of the Chinese people.

About this title

Review:

While "Mencius" may be generally more 'accessible' when compared with other classical Chinese texts, as P. J. Ivanhoe observes, it is still a challenge to capture in translation the flavor of its fine prose and the force of its arguments. This, I think, is precisely what Bloom sets out to do, and we are richly rewarded for her effort. Her translation is eminently reliable and has a graceful directness and simplicity. Ivanhoe's introduction helpfully highlights key ethical, political, and religious views and relates them to relevant contemporary philosophical debates. This book will be widely used and consulted by scholars.--Alan K. L. Chan, National University of Singapore

About the Author:

D. C. Lau, a world renowned scholar on sinological studies, is professor emeritus of Chinese language and lliterature at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is reknowned for his classic English translations of the Tao Te Ching and The Analects of Confucius.

About this edition

• Publisher: Chinese University Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 9622018513
• ISBN 13: 9789622018518
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 478