The Book of Equalization

秦笃辉Jul 2024

3.0

Word count: 100K words
Chapters: 10

Summary

Traditional Chinese thought has a long history and is highly original, inventive and literary. Early intellectual forms are distinctive: religious theology, classical Chinese medical texts, ancient military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and the Hundred Schools, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, customs and local gazetteers—all are profound and vast. This series, "Essential Classics of Chinese Traditional Culture: Original Texts," preserves the original appearance of the books and focuses on conserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, readers cultivate character and quietly absorb the classics.

Editor's review

Pingshu is included in the series "Essential Classics of Chinese Traditional Culture: Original Texts," presenting Qin Duhui's thought in a form that preserves the original appearance of the book. For general readers, its value lies not in easy stories but in direct contact with the original tone, argumentative methods and wording of traditional thought texts, and in experiencing how the ancients approached questions. The content aligns with the series' aims and touches on a broad background of religious theology, classical Chinese medical texts, ancient military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and the Hundred Schools, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, customs and local gazetteers; reading it reveals how traditional learning interweaves. This new edition returns the work to contemporary reading in a relatively complete form. It suits readers willing to read slowly and to understand the original with the help of annotations and reference works. It is better as part of thematic reading in Chinese studies than as a first introductory book. Read alongside intellectual history, it more readily reveals the author's concerns and the marks of his time.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers with basic experience of traditional thought texts who are willing to read original works slowly
University students doing thematic reading in Chinese studies who need supplementary original materials
Research-oriented readers who need to understand traditional academic expression and argumentative habits
Collectors who prefer editions that preserve the original appearance and authenticity of the text

Not a good fit for

Beginners with no foundation in classical Chinese who expect vernacular explanations
Readers seeking light stories or quick mastery of key points in Chinese studies
Those who need modern scholarly introductions and detailed annotations to progress

Reading tips

First read the table of contents and prefaces to grasp the book's scope, then decide which chapters to read closely
Prepare a classical Chinese dictionary and basic reference works; look up difficult words and passages first rather than skipping them
After each section, note the author's core questions and argumentative methods in a few sentences for later review
Read alongside other original texts in the series and note how different texts handle the same topic

版权信息
平书
平书卷一人事篇上
平书卷二人事篇下
平书卷三物宜篇上
平书卷四物宜篇下
平书卷五经学篇上
平书卷六经学篇下
平书卷七文艺篇上
平书卷八文艺篇下

FAQ

Is this book suitable for readers with no foundation in classical Chinese?

Not very. It belongs to a series of original Chinese classics that preserve the original appearance of the text, and reading it requires some classical Chinese. Readers with no experience should start with annotated or vernacular editions, then return to the original.

What tools should I prepare for reading this book?

A classical Chinese dictionary, relevant historical background materials, and paper and pen are recommended. Mark difficult points such as names, places and institutions, then check them together after finishing a passage, so that looking up every word does not interrupt the reading rhythm.

Should this book be read quickly or slowly?

Slow reading suits it better. Texts preserved in their original form are information-dense, and quick skimming easily leaves only a vague impression. Proceed chapter by chapter and make brief notes after each part, recording core questions and argumentative threads.

How does it differ from ordinary introductory books on Chinese studies?

Ordinary introductory books usually offer modern explanation and selection and have a lower threshold; this book focuses on conserving and transmitting traditional thought and culture and preserves the original appearance of the text. It offers a firsthand textual experience rather than a secondhand summary.

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About the author

秦笃辉 Author

Qin Duhui is an author about whom relatively little biographical information is available. Public sources do not record his birth and death dates, native place, or professional career, and the existing information comes mainly from his surviving works. Two of his works are included here, namely Du Shi Sheng Yan (Remaining Remarks on Reading History) and Ping Shu. Both are commonly classified as classic works. Judging from its title, Du Shi Sheng Yan belongs to the genre of reading notes on history and presumably records and comments made by the author while studying historical texts; Ping Shu likewise appears to be a work of discussion and argument, though its specific contents are difficult to describe in detail given the limited sources. As far as the extant works show, Qin Duhui's writing focuses on the study and discussion of the classics and history, and his style appears plain and concise, emphasizing insights drawn from old texts. Although his books did not circulate widely, they offer later readers reference material for understanding how traditional scholars read history and reflected upon it, and thus possess a certain documentary and historical value.