Synopses & Reviews
Mencius was the philosopher whose influence upon ancient Chinese thought was second only to that of Confucius, whose teachings Mencius defended and expanded. The
Mencius, in which he recounts his dialogues with kings, dukes, and military men, as well as other philosophers, is one of the four books that make up the essential Confucian corpus. It takes up Confucius’s theories of jen, or goodness, and yi, righteousness, explaining that the individual can achieve harmony with mankind and the universe by perfecting his innate moral nature and acting with benevolence and justice. Mencius’s remarkably modern views on the duties of subjects and their rulers and on the evils of war created a Confucian orthodoxy that has remained intact since the third century BCE.
* An essential text in Confucian thought
* D.C. Lau's lucid translation has been updated
* The introduction makes illuminating comparisons between Mencius and his contemporaries
* Revised edition includes updated further reading, appendices, a glossary, and notes
Synopsis
Mencius was one of the great philosophers of ancient China, second only in influence to Confucius, whose teachings he defended and expanded. The
Mencius, in which he recounts his dialogues with kings, dukes and military men, as well as other philosophers, is one of the Four Books that make up the essential Confucian corpus. It takes up Confucius's theories of jen, or goodness and yi, righteousness, explaining that the individual can achieve harmony with mankind and the universe by perfecting his innate moral nature and acting with benevolence and justice. Mencius' strikingly modern views on the duties of subjects and their rulers or the evils of war, created a Confucian orthodoxy that has remained intact since the third century BCE.
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About the Author
D.C. Lau read Chinese at the University of Hong Kong, and, in 1946, he went to Glasgow, where he read philosophy. In 1950 he entered the School of Oriental and African Studies in London to teach Chinese philosophy. After lecturing in Chinese philosophy at the University of London he returned to Hong Kong, where he is a Professor at the Chinese University.
D.C. Lau read Chinese at the University of Hong Kong, and, in 1946, he went to Glasgow, where he read philosophy. In 1950 he entered the School of Oriental and African Studies in London to teach Chinese philosophy. After lecturing in Chinese philosophy at the University of London he returned to Hong Kong, where he is a Professor at the Chinese University.
Table of Contents
Mencius Introduction
Further Reading
Mencius
Book I·Part A
Book I·Part B
Book II·Part A
Book II·Part B
Book III·Part A
Book III·Part B
Book IV·Part A
Book IV·Part B
Book V·Part A
Book V·Part B
Book VI·Part A
Book VI·Part B
Book VII·Part A
Book VII·Part B
Aooendix 1: The Dating of Events in the Life of Mencius
Appendix 2: Early Traditions about Mencius
Appendix 3: The Text of the Mencius
Appendix 4: Ancient History as Understood by Mencius
Appendix 5: On Mencius' Use of the Method of Analogy in Argument
Textual Notes
Glossary of Personal and Place Names