Overview

Xunzi asserted that the original nature of man is evil, differing on this point from Mencius, his famous predecessor in the Confucian school. In the most complete, well-ordered philosophical system of his day, Xunzi advocated the counteraction of man's evil through self-improvement, the pursuit of learning, the avoidance of obsession, and observance of ritual in life. Readers familiar with Xunzi's work will find that Burton Watson's lucid translation breathes new life into this classic. Those new to Xunzi will ...
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Xunzi: Basic Writings

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Overview

Xunzi asserted that the original nature of man is evil, differing on this point from Mencius, his famous predecessor in the Confucian school. In the most complete, well-ordered philosophical system of his day, Xunzi advocated the counteraction of man's evil through self-improvement, the pursuit of learning, the avoidance of obsession, and observance of ritual in life. Readers familiar with Xunzi's work will find that Burton Watson's lucid translation breathes new life into this classic. Those new to Xunzi will find his ideas on government, language, and order and safety in society surprisingly close to concerns of our own age.
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Editorial Reviews

Asian Affairs

Burton Watson...possesses all the qualities which distinguish a master translator. As a craftsman and as a poet, he has inspired and challenged two generations.

Journal of Asian Studies

Translation of any of the classics...from the hand of Burton Watson is an event to be welcomed with gratitude.

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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780231521314
  • Publisher: Columbia University Press
  • Publication date: 2/24/2012
  • Series: Translations from the Asian Classics
  • Sold by: Barnes & Noble
  • Format: eBook
  • Pages: 160
  • Sales rank: 511,490
  • File size: 16 MB
  • Note: This product may take a few minutes to download.

Meet the Author

Burton Watson is one of the world's best-known translators from the Chinese and Japanese. He received the PEN translation prize in 1981. His translations include The Lotus Sutra, The Vimalakirti Sutra, Ryokan: Zen Monk-Poet of Japan, Saigyo: Poems of a Mountain Home, and The Columbia Book of Chinese Poetry: From Early Times to the Thirteenth Century, all published by Columbia. This book presents Watson's renowned translation of a Chinese philosophy classic in pinyin romanization for the first time.

Columbia University Press

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Table of Contents

Outline of Early Chinese History
Preface
Introduction 1
Encouraging Learning 15
Improving Yourself 25
The Regulations of a King 35
Debating Military Affairs 59
A Discussion of Heaven 83
A Discussion of Rites 93
A Discussion of Music 115
Dispelling Obsessions 125
Rectifying Names 143
Man's Nature Is Evil 161
Index 175
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