Zhuangzi, The divine classic of Nan hua

 

By: Frederic Henry Balfour. Distributor : Lulu. $29.99. 372 pages. Paperback UT. 2016 (1880).

 

Mr. F. H. Balfour was the first Sinologue to translate Zhuangzi. He was followed by Mr. Herbert Gile (Zhuangzi, mystic, moralist, and social reformer, 1886) and Dr. Legge (The texts of Taoism, 1891, vols. 1 and 2). Mr. Giles provided an analysis of this first translation in The China Review, 1882–1883, 11:1-15[1] and Dr. Legge in the preface of his translation (p. xviii).

In the words of Dr. Legge, “it was no small achievement to be the first to endeavor to lift up the veil from Zhuangzi. Even a first translation, though imperfect, is not without benefit to others who come after, and are able to do better.”

The purpose of this reedition is to provide this first translation for historical and comparative purposes. The language and concepts used in the Zhuangzi are for me so complex and subtle that having several translations at hand is one of the steps to approach this incredibly rich esoteric text.

The reedition includes the update of 824 transliterated terms into pinyin, the addition of the Author’s work and the update of the citations when necessary.

 

Contents

 

  • Excursus
  • Note
  • Volume I
    • 1. Wanderings at Ease
    • 2. Essay on the Uniformity of All Things
    • 3. Regulation of the Nourishment of Life
  • Volume II
    • 4. The World of Humanity
    • 5. The Manifestation of Inward Virtue
    • 6. The Universal Teacher
    • 7. The Duty of Emperors and Princes
  • Volume III
    • 8. Double Thumbs
    • 9. Horses’ Hoofs
    • 10. The Rifling of Portfolios
    • 11. Leniency towards Faults
    • 12. Heaven and Earth
    • 13. The Way of Heaven
    • 14. The Revolutions of Heaven
  • Volume IV
    • 15. Bigoted Ideas
    • 16. The Renovation of One’s Nature
    • 17. Autumn Waters
    • 18. Perfect Happiness
    • 19. The Interpretation of Life
    • 20. Mountain Trees
    • 21. Tian Zifang
    • 22. Wisdom’s Trip to the North
  • Volume V
    • 23. Gengsang Chu
    • 24. Xu Wugui
    • 25. Zeyang
    • 26. External Advantages
  • Volume VI
    • 27. On Metaphors
    • 32. The Philosopher Lie
    • 33. The Empire
    • 28. The Abdication of Princes
    • 29. Zhi the Robber
    • 30. The Love of Swords
    • 31. The Old Fisherman
  • Appendices
    • Lexicon
    • Biography

 

 

[1] Mr. Balfour's Chuang Tze.