Translation and Annotation of Zhuangzi
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Summary
Editor's review
The thought of the Zhuangzi is vast and unconstrained, its language wondrous and strange; it has long been the key to understanding Chinese philosophy and aesthetics, yet its reliance on metaphor and parable can intimidate. Fang Yong's annotated translation serves as a reliable bridge: its value lies in precisely capturing Zhuangzi's mode of discourse—"nine parts parable, seven parts authoritative saying, words that pour forth daily"—and in striving for clarity in explaining key concepts (such as dao, free and easy wandering, and the equality of things) without losing their mysterious resonance. Reading this book, you gain not merely a modern rendering of an ancient text but a guided tour by a seasoned scholar into the intellectual universe of the Zhuangzi. For readers who wish to grasp the overall thread of Zhuangzi's thought while relying on a dependable textual foundation, this edition is an excellent choice, combining authority and readability.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Beginners and enthusiasts with a strong interest in ancient Chinese philosophy, especially Daoist thought
- University humanities students or researchers in need of a reliable reference for studying the Zhuangzi
- Modern readers seeking life wisdom, spiritual solace, and transcendence from the classics
- Readers who love classical Chinese literature and wish to appreciate the Zhuangzi's distinctive literary style and linguistic artistry
Not a good fit for
- Readers expecting an extremely simplified, story-based interpretation or seeking direct "success philosophy" applications
- Senior specialist researchers looking for unconventional or tradition-overturning interpretations
Reading tips
- First-time readers may begin with the Inner Chapters (such as "Free and Easy Wandering" and "On the Equality of Things"), savoring the core concepts alongside the translation and annotations without rushing
- Read the original text, translation, and annotations side by side, paying special attention to Fang Yong's analysis of key philosophical concepts, which helps illuminate subtle points of thought
- Consider Zhuangzi's Warring States context and reflect on the possible relevance of his critical and transcendent thought to present-day life, reading in a "dialogic" mode
About the publisher
Shanghai Classics Publishing House is a professional publisher centered on the collation of ancient texts and academic research works. Its publishing areas cover historical readings, classical poetry, folk literature, literary appreciation, canonical works, and Eastern philosophy. Its books include Chen Yinke's A Brief Discussion of the Origins of the Sui and Tang Institutions, Xin Qiji's Chronological Annotated Edition of Jiaxuan's Ci (Simplified Edition), Tang Xianzu's The Peony Pavilion, Liu Xie's The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons, as well as New Annotations to Three Hundred Tang Poems (Collector's Edition), Annotated Edition of Han Changli's Collected Works (Simplified Edition, 3 volumes), and Youyang Zazu. Its authors include Chen Yinke, Xin Qiji, Tang Xianzu, Liu Xie, Deng Guangming, Hengtang Tuishi, Han Yu, and Ma Qichang. In terms of publishing characteristics, the house emphasizes collation, annotation, and compilation of ancient texts alongside academic research works, and continues to issue simplified and collector's editions that balance scholarship and accessibility. Public information about the publisher's fuller publishing profile is limited.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 前言
- 内篇
- 逍遥游
- 齐物论
- 养生主
- 人间世
- 德充符
- 大宗师
- 应帝王
- 外篇
- 骈拇
- 马蹄
- 胠箧
- 在宥
- 天地
- 天道
- 天运
- 刻意
- 缮性
- 秋水
- 至乐
- 达生
- 山木
- 田子方
- 知北游
- 杂篇
- 庚桑楚
- 徐无鬼
- 则阳
- 外物
- 寓言
- 让王
- 盗跖
- 说剑
- 渔父
- 列御寇
- 天下
FAQ
How does Fang Yong's annotated Zhuangzi differ mainly from other editions (such as Chen Guying's)?
Is this edition suitable for readers with no foundation in classical Chinese?
Does this book include all thirty-three chapters of the Zhuangzi?
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About the author
Fang Yong was born in 1956 in Pujiang, Zhejiang. He is a professor and doctoral supervisor in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at East China Normal University, director of the Center for Pre-Qin Thinkers Research, and a "Changjiang Scholar" Distinguished Professor appointed by the Ministry of Education. He has long devoted himself to the study of Zhuangzi and pre-Qin thinkers, and is the author of A History of Zhuangzi Studies, A Compendium of Zhuangzi, and The Collected Works of Fang Shanzi. He founded the Journal of Thinkers Studies, presided over the compilation of The Treasury of Thinkers, and proposed the concept of "New Thinkers Studies." His works combine scholarly depth with accessibility for general readers. The titles held here—Mencius (Complete Text, Annotations, and Modern Translation of Chinese Classics), Zhuangzi with Translation and Notes, and Lectures on Zhuangzi—reflect his care in annotating, translating, and teaching classical texts, while The Renmei Painting Manual: Shen Zhou shows his reach extending into the field of art.
Liu Tao, born in 1960, is a Chinese author. The library holds 15 of his works, spanning a wide range of subjects: from the philosophical classic translation Zhuangzi Yizhu to works on communication and language theory such as Visual Rhetoric and Studies in Visual Communication (Volume II); from titles on urban and rural planning and engineering, including Methods and Applications of Ecological Space Evaluation for Village and Town Communities, A Casebook of Village and Town Community Planning and Design, and BIM Construction Organization Design and Management, to materials and industrial technology such as Materials in Polar Environments and Surface Protection Technology. In medicine, he is represented by Collected Academic Thought and Clinical Experience of Wang Canhui. His writing combines scholarly compilation with applied research and covers a broad field. Public information is limited, so biographical details are omitted here.
