The Book of Two Equalities

罗隐Jul 2024

4.0

Word count: 8K words
Chapters: 11

Summary

Traditional Chinese thought and culture have a long history and are highly original, inventive and literary. Early forms of thought have striking features: religious theology, classical medical texts, ancient military strategy, Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist and Hundred Schools thought, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, local customs and geography—all are vast and profound. This "Classics of Chinese Traditional Culture" series preserves the original appearance of the texts, aiming to preserve and transmit traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, readers can cultivate their temperament and quietly absorb the classics of Chinese learning.

Editor's review

Liang Tong Shu is a philosophical work by Luo Yin that survives to this day. It is short but concentratedly reflects the late Tang scholar's thinking on self-cultivation, conduct in the world, and governance. The book unfolds through questions and discussions, repeatedly analyzing pairs of opposites under the same proposition—such as beauty and ugliness, strength and weakness, loss and gain, sameness and difference—emphasizing holding to the middle and using both sides, and eliminating excess and extravagance, with a clear blend of Daoist and Legalist colors. This new edition belongs to the "Classics of Chinese Traditional Culture" series and emphasizes preserving the original text without excessive vernacular rewriting, making it suitable for readers who want to encounter the feel of the original. Its value lies not in providing a systematic philosophical construction but in presenting a primary text from the intellectual scene of the late Tang, through which readers can observe how a man of letters discussed order and self-conduct in the context of a chaotic age. Reading should be slow, with annotations used to understand allusions and argumentative logic; there is no need to force oneself to understand everything in one pass.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in ancient Chinese philosophical literature and late Tang thought
Chinese classics enthusiasts who need the feel of the original text and wish to encounter traditional or original-form texts
University students in Chinese and history departments using it for extracurricular close reading
Readers who enjoy short argumentative essays and segmented reading

Not a good fit for

Beginning readers hoping for direct vernacular translation and detailed annotation
Readers expecting a systematic history of philosophy or modern theoretical interpretation
General readers who prefer long narratives and story plots

Reading tips

First read through without demanding full understanding, grasping each chapter's topic and the structure of paired opposites, then return to read paragraph by paragraph.
Keep a notebook and outline each chapter as "proposition—two sides—conclusion" to help understand Luo Yin's argumentative method.
Mark allusions and uncommon words first, then look them up together to avoid frequently interrupting the reading rhythm.
Read alongside other writings by Luo Yin, such as Chan Shu, to appreciate the consistency of his argumentative style.

版权信息
贵贱第一
强弱第二
损益第三
敬慢第四
厚薄第五
理乱第六
得失第七
真伪第八
同异第九
爱憎第十

FAQ

What does the title Liang Tong Shu mean?

"Liang tong" refers to the two opposing sides under the same proposition, such as beauty and ugliness, strength and weakness, loss and gain. Luo Yin discusses how the two sides generate and complete each other, leading to the advocacy of holding to the middle and eliminating excess. The title itself indicates the book's basic method of arguing through paired opposites.

Is this book suitable for readers without a foundation in classical Chinese?

It is not very suitable for complete beginners. This series preserves the original text and does not focus on vernacular rewriting; without some experience in reading classical Chinese, understanding allusions and argumentative logic will be quite difficult. It is advisable to have basic classical Chinese ability first, or to read alongside reference works and annotated editions.

What background should one know before reading this book?

It helps to know the general background of late Tang warlord division and the situation of scholars, and to be familiar with some basic Daoist and Legalist concepts such as non-action, reward and punishment, and holding to the middle. Systematic study of philosophical history is not necessary, but knowing that Luo Yin was known for argumentation and a sharp style will help in entering the text.

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About the author

罗隐 Author

Luo Yin was a poet and man of letters active around the late Tang and Five Dynasties period. Publicly available information is limited, and his birth and death years, native place, and official career remain unverified. The library holds ten of his works, including the San Luo Poetry Collection, “Self-Release,” “Written at the Dwelling of Zhang Yiren by Yuan Creek,” Liang Tong Shu, Taiping Liang Tong Shu, “Climbing the Tower of Xiazhou City,” “The Rich Man of Qinzhong,” and “Autumn Thoughts at the Zhu Palace.” These titles show that he wrote both poetry and discursive works in the tradition of philosophical miscellany. His poems often treat personal reflection, sightseeing, and the ways of the world; their language is spare and forceful, their imagery cool and clear, and they frequently convey a sense of personal circumstance through ordinary scenes. Works such as Liang Tong Shu belong to the tradition of essays on principle and political thought, with an affinity to philosophical writing. Later catalogues commonly place his works under literary appreciation, classical poetry, and Eastern philosophy, indicating that readers have valued both his poetic craft and his intellectual discussion. Because verifiable biographical material is limited, this introduction does not elaborate on his life and instead presents the themes and style of his writing as reflected in the works held here.