Mencius / Edition 1

by Mencius, D. C. Lau

Overview

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 the required reading amongst Chinese scholars for two thousand years, and it still throws considerable light on the character of the Chinese people.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789622018518
Publisher:	The Chinese University of Hong Kong Press
Publication date:	07/11/2003
Series:	Translations from the Asian Classics
Edition description:	REVISED
Pages:	478
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

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.

Table of Contents

Editor's Preface
Introduction
Book 1A
Book 1B
Book 2A
Book 2B
Book 3A
Book 3B
Book 4A
Book 4B
Book 5A
Book 5B
Book 6A
Book 6B
Book 7A
Book 7B
Glossary of Persons and Places

Editorial Reviews

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

Accurate and very fluid; in addition to their other strengths, Bloom and Ivanhoe are both gifted writers of English

Journal of Chinese Studies

Irene Bloom is a sensitive and well-trained scholar. Her translation of Mencius, one of the most influential philosophical works ever written in China, marks an important step forward for Asian and Confucian studies.

Harold D. Roth

A tremendous accomplishment that crowns Bloom's exemplary career.... Essential.

Choice

Irene Bloom's book is an exemplification of the best Sinological scholarship. Its interpretive brilliance will be a source of inspiration for years to come.

Tu Weiming