A History of Laughter, Ancient and Modern
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Summary
When Youlong's Tangai was completed, Mei read it before finishing the scroll and sighed: "When a gentleman achieves his ambition, he puts it into action; when he does not, he entrusts it to empty words. Laozi said: 'Words subtly to the point can resolve difficulties.' But how could talk be easy? Without learning, one is not fit to talk; without insight, one cannot talk; without courage, one dares not talk; and without pent-up frustration in the heart with no way to release it, one also does not wish to talk."
Editor's review
The Gujin Xiaoshi follows the approach of Feng Menglong's compilations of humorous books, gathering witty and satirical stories from historical notebooks, biographies, and rumors into one collection. Reading it reveals both the myriad states of the world and the literati's intention to use laughter as a needle against the abuses of the times. Its value lies not in amusement itself but in the sense of measure in "words subtly to the point can resolve difficulties": many pieces are short and sharp, and after the laugh one can savor the warmth and coldness of human feelings and the ways of the world. This reissue preserves the original book's appearance and is suitable as a bedside or travel book for fragmentary reading—flip through a few pieces at random without having to plow straight through. Readers interested in late-Ming vignettes, folk narrative, and traditional humor will find abundant material worth revisiting; those who write or tell stories can also borrow structures, tones, and wit from it. One caveat: many jokes in the book bear the stamp of their age, and today's readers should read with a discerning eye, taking the wisdom and not accepting everything wholesale.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers who enjoy late-Ming vignettes and ancient notebooks and want an easy introduction to traditional humor
- Writers who need short material and want to learn storytelling rhythm and wit
- Fragmentary readers who want to flip through a few pages during work breaks and unwind with short pieces
- Culture enthusiasts interested in satire on worldly affairs and folk narrative
Not a good fit for
- Readers who expect systematic humor theory or a complete literary-historical argument
- People who prefer long, coherent narratives and are not used to scattered short pieces
- Beginners unfamiliar with ancient allusions and classical expression who need line-by-line annotations
Reading tips
- Read three to five pieces a day; do not be greedy, and jot down whatever strikes you.
- When you meet an unfamiliar allusion, skip it first and look it up after a first reading to keep your pace.
- You can group jokes on similar themes and compare them to see how Feng Menglong selected and trimmed his material.
- While reading, pay attention to the criticism of worldly affairs behind the laughter and distinguish the limitations of the age from universal wisdom.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 叙谭概
- 题《古今笑》
- 古今笑史序
- 自叙
- 迂腐部第一
- 怪诞部第二
- 痴绝部第三
- 专愚部第四
- 谬误部第五
- 无术部第六
- 苦海部第七
- 不韵部第八
- 癖嗜部第九
- 越情部第十
- 佻达部第十一
- 矜嫚部第十二
- 贫俭部第十三
- 汰侈部第十四
- 贪秽部第十五
- 鸷忍部第十六
- 容悦部第十七
- 颜甲部第十八
- 闺诫部第十九
- 委蜕部第二十
- 谲智部第二十一
- 儇弄部第二十二
- 机警部第二十三
- 酬嘲部第二十四
- 塞语部第二十五
- 雅浪部第二十六
- 文戏部第二十七
- 巧言部第二十八
- 谈资部第二十九
- 微词部第三十
- 口碑部第三十一
- 灵迹部第三十二
- 荒唐部第三十三
- 妖异部第三十四
- 非族部第三十五
- 杂志部第三十六
FAQ
Is this book suitable for reading straight through from beginning to end?
Not very. It is compiled from a large number of short jokes and witty stories that do not necessarily have a tight logic between pieces. It is better to flip through a few each day or pick according to interest; forcing a straight read tends to tire one through repetition of themes. As a bedside or travel book, it better reveals its wit.
Does reading ancient jokes require a deep foundation in classical Chinese?
Not necessarily. Most entries are short with clear plots, and even if individual allusions are unfamiliar, they do not prevent understanding the gist. It is best to read through first and look things up afterward, not getting stuck on unfamiliar words. An annotated edition is better; without annotations, use reference books for key allusions and focus on the joke's turn and satirical point.
Are the jokes in this book outdated when read today?
Some content carries obvious notions and status prejudices of its age and may be uncomfortable today. But many stories satirize human relations, official customs, and weaknesses of human nature that still have life. Read with a discerning eye, appreciate the verbal wit and narrative skill, and keep a distance from clearly outdated notions rather than accepting them wholesale.
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About the author
Feng Menglong
Author · Chinese · 1574–1646
Feng Menglong (1574–1646), courtesy name Youlong and style name Mohan Zhai Zhuren, was a native of Changzhou in Suzhou Prefecture (present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu). A Ming dynasty writer and dramatist, he devoted his life to collecting and editing popular literature. He compiled Yushi Mingyan, Jingshi Tongyan, and Xingshi Hengyan, known collectively as the "Three Words," which became representative anthologies of vernacular short stories. He also compiled Qingshi and Gujin Tangui, revised Xin Lieguo Zhi and Pingyao Zhuan, and served as magistrate of Shouning County in Fujian. His works draw on urban life and folk legends, employ lively vernacular language, and focus on human nature and social manners, exerting a lasting influence on later vernacular fiction and drama. The library holds 200 of his works, spanning classical literature and social fiction.
