Zhuangzi, mystic, moralist, and social reformer

 

By Herbert Allen Giles. Distributor: Lulu. $29.99. 402 pages. Paperback CQ. 2016 (1889).

Herbert A. Giles who has contributed more than 60 books and articles to the field of Sinology is here providing us a complete translation of Zhuangzi. This translation is of great interest to those seeking to understand this fundamental work as we have few translations of the text and cross-comparative studies of the translations aid in gaining insight of what the original Chinese meanings might be. Such approach is beneficial as the original text, like many classics, presupposes knowledge in various fields to grasp subtle allusions, metaphors or puns.  Further, many of the common names are themselves plays with words that requires difficult choices in translations.

This work may be read in parallel with F. H. Balfour’s Zhuangzi, The divine classic of Nan hua, another important translation of the 19th century.

This edition includes a terminology section, H. Giles’ list of works, and a list of over 70 references generated from the text or added through the editorial verification. The final index of the original text has been recompiled.

640 transliterated terms have been updated to modern pinyin.

 

Contents

 

  • Forward by Eric Serejski
  • Introduction
  • Note on the Philosophy of Chap. 1–7
  • The Book
    1. Transcendental Bliss
    2. The Identity of Contraries
    3. Nourishment of the Soul
    4. Man among Men
    5. The Evidence of Virtue Complete
    6. The Great Supreme
    7. How to Govern
    8. Joined Toes
    9. Horses’ Hoofs
    10. Opening Trunks
    11. On Letting Alone
    12. The Universe
    13. The Dao of God
    14. The Circling Sky
    15. Self-Conceit
    16. Exercise of Faculties
    17. Autumn Floods
    18. Perfect Happiness
    19. The Secret of Life
    20. Mountain Trees
    21. Tian Zifang
    22. Knowledge Travels North
    23. Gengsang Chu
    24. Xu Wugui
    25. Zeyang
    26. Contingencies
    27. Language
    28. On Declining Power
    29. Robber Zhi
    30. On Swords
    31. The Old Fisherman
    32. Liezi
    33. The Empire
  • Index
  • Biography and Bibliography
  • Biography
  • Bibliography