A Book to Burn (2 Volumes) cover

A Book to Burn (2 Volumes)

Rating 4.1
Word count
942K words
Chapters
223
ISBN
9787101132557

Tags

Summary

Also known as Li Zhi's Book to Be Burned, A Book to Burn is a six-volume work by the late-Ming thinker Li Zhi. It collects letters, miscellaneous writings, historical commentaries, poetry and prose, and short essays on history written by this famous thinker and man of letters, expressing his political and philosophical views and serving as a key source for the study of his life and thought. In his preface Li Zhi writes: “The first I call A Book to Be Burned, for it answers letters from those who know me and comes close to the hidden disease of scholars of our day; having struck their chronic ailment, they will surely want to kill me, and so I wish to burn it—meaning it should be burned and cast away, not kept.” He also says: “What I wish to burn is what offends men's ears; what I wish to print is what enters men's hearts. What offends the ear means death for me—that is to be feared. Yet I am now sixty-four; if it once enters men's hearts, perhaps those who understand me may yet be found! I take hope in that perhaps, and so I print it.” This shows that Li Zhi already foresaw that publication would bring persecution from the feudal rulers, yet he still had A Book to Burn printed with fearless resolve. In it he sharply exposes the ugly faces of the Neo-Confucian moralists of his time and turns his critique further against Confucius, founder of the Confucian school, and his so-called “classics.” Li Zhi's criticism of Confucius and the Confucian “classics” may be counted unprecedented in intensity in the long feudal era; it had a stunning, enlightening effect at the time and exerted a profound influence thereafter.

Editor's review

Book of Burning is a collection of writings by the Ming dynasty thinker Li Zhi, edited and annotated by the contemporary scholar Zhang Jianye and published by Zhonghua Book Company. The book gathers Li Zhi's miscellaneous writings, letters, and historical commentaries, and is the core expression of his iconoclastic thought. Li Zhi styled himself a 'heretic,' and in this book he sharply criticized Confucian orthodoxy, Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, and the social realities of his time. He advocated the 'Doctrine of the Childlike Heart' and championed individuality and freedom of thought. His words were shocking in his day and ultimately led to his works being banned and to his own death in prison. Zhang Jianye is an authoritative scholar in the field of Li Zhi studies; his annotated edition uses Ming editions as its base text, collates multiple versions, and provides precise annotations and rigorous textual research, removing obstacles for readers and supplying rich background knowledge. This Zhonghua Book Company edition is elegantly bound with clear typesetting and is a rare reliable read for studying Li Zhi's thought and the intellectual currents of the late Ming. Reading this book is not only a dialogue with a giant of ancient thought but also a way to deeply understand an important 'enlightenment' attempt in Chinese intellectual history; it has unique value for reflecting on tradition and illuminating the present.

Who it's for

A good fit for

  • Researchers and enthusiasts interested in ancient Chinese intellectual history, especially late Ming thought
  • Readers who wish to understand Li Zhi and his ideas in depth and seek unorthodox intellectual resources
  • Advanced students and scholars in philosophy, history, and literature
  • Serious readers who prefer reading classic original texts and value authoritative annotated editions

Not a good fit for

  • Readers seeking light entertainment or quick, predigested knowledge
  • Readers lacking basic patience for and interest in classical Chinese and ancient intellectual debate

Reading tips

  1. Start with the 'Preface' or 'Introduction' to learn about Li Zhi's life, the development of his thought, and the editorial principles of this book, establishing a broad framework
  2. Read in conjunction with the specific historical context; there is no need to rush. Focus on core pieces such as 'On the Childlike Heart' and 'Reply to Geng Zhongcheng' to feel the impact of his ideas
  3. Consult relevant studies by Zhang Jianye or other scholars as appropriate to deepen your understanding of the complexity and historical significance of Li Zhi's thought

About the publisher

Zhonghua Book Company China · Founded in 1912

Zhonghua Book Company is a publisher known for collating ancient texts and academic publishing, with its output centered on Eastern philosophy, culture, classic works, art, and historical reading. Its library contains 532 titles, including Chen Shou's Records of the Three Kingdoms, Guo Qingfan's Collected Commentaries on Zhuangzi, the four-volume Chinese Literature: Four Great Classical Novels, and the two-volume Table of Seal and Clerical Script Forms from Qin, Han, Wei, and Jin. These titles span historical classics, commentaries on the philosophers, classical novels, and philological reference works. Representative authors include Chen Shou, Guo Qingfan, Wu Cheng'en, Shi Nai'an, Cao Xueqin, Luo Guanzhong, Xu Wenwu, and the Hanyu Dazidian character-form group, reflecting a focus on primary sources and scholarly editors. Its publishing character lies in combining authoritative editions and annotated texts with both accessible classics and specialized research. Public information on its fuller catalog is limited; this note describes only the directions evident in the library's holdings.

Contents

  1. 版权信息
  2. 李贽论
  3. 凡例
  4. 自序
  5. 上册
  6. 卷一 书答
  7. 答周西岩
  8. 答周若庄
  9. 与焦弱侯
  10. 答邓石阳
  11. 又答石阳太守
  12. 答李见罗先生
  13. 答焦漪园
  14. 复丘若泰
  15. 复邓石阳
  16. 复周南士
  17. 答邓明府
  18. 答耿中丞
  19. 又答耿中丞
  20. 与杨定见
  21. 复京中友朋
  22. 又答京友
  23. 复宋太守
  24. 答耿中丞论淡
  25. 答刘宪长
  26. 答周友山
  27. 答周柳塘
  28. 与耿司寇告别
  29. 答耿司寇
  30. 答邓明府
  31. 复周柳塘
  32. 寄答耿大中丞
  33. 卷二 书答
  34. 与庄纯夫
  35. 复焦弱侯
  36. 又与焦弱侯
  37. 复邓鼎石
  38. 寄答京友
  39. 与曾中野
  40. 与曾继泉
  41. 答刘方伯书
  42. 答庄纯夫书
  43. 与周友山书
  44. 又与周友山书
  45. 与焦漪园
  46. 与刘晋川书
  47. 与友朋书
  48. 答刘晋川书
  49. 别刘肖川书
  50. 答友人书
  51. 答以女人学道为见短书
  52. 复耿侗老书
  53. 与李惟清
  54. 与明因
  55. 与焦弱侯
  56. 与弱侯
  57. 与方伯雨柬
  58. 与杨定见
  59. 与杨凤里
  60. 又与杨凤里
  61. 与梅衡湘 答书二首附
  62. 复麻城人书
  63. 与河南吴中丞书
  64. 答陆思山
  65. 与周友山
  66. 与友山
  67. 寄京友书
  68. 与焦弱侯书
  69. 复士龙悲二母吟
  70. 复晋川翁书
  71. 书晋川翁寿卷后
  72. 会期小启
  73. 与友人书
  74. 复顾冲庵翁书
  75. 又书
  76. 又书使通州诗后
  77. 复澹然大士
  78. 为黄安二上人 三首
  79. 复李渐老书
  80. 答李如真
  81. 答何克斋尚书
  82. 又与从吾
  83. 又与从吾孝廉
  84. 复耿中丞
  85. 答周二鲁
  86. 答周柳塘
  87. 寄答留都
  88. 书常顺手卷呈顾冲庵
  89. 与管登之书
  90. 卷三 杂述
  91. 卓吾论略 滇中作
  92. 论政篇 为罗姚州作
  93. 何心隐论
  94. 夫妇论 因畜有感
  95. 鬼神论
  96. 战国论
  97. 兵食论
  98. 杂说
  99. 童心说
  100. 心经提纲
  101. 四勿说
  102. 虚实说
  103. 定林庵记
  104. 高洁说
  105. 三蠢记
  106. 三叛记
  107. 《忠义水浒传》序
  108. 子由《解老》序
  109. 高同知奖劝序 高系土官父祖作逆
  110. 送郑大姚序
  111. 《李中丞奏议》序代作
  112. 《先行录》序代作
  113. 时文后序代作
  114. 张横渠《易说》序代作
  115. 《龙谿先生文录抄》序
  116. 关王告文
  117. 李中谿先生告文
  118. 王龙谿先生告文
  119. 罗近谿先生告文
  120. 祭无祀文代作
  121. 篁山碑文代作
  122. 李生十交文
  123. 自赞
  124. 赞刘谐
  125. 方竹图卷文
  126. 书黄安二上人手册
  127. 读律肤说
  128. 下册
  129. 卷四 杂述
  130. 解经题
  131. 书《决疑论》前
  132. 解经文
  133. 念佛答问
  134. 《征途与共》后语
  135. 批下学上达语
  136. 书方伯雨册叶
  137. 读若无母寄书
  138. 耿楚倥先生传
  139. 题关公小像
  140. 三大士像议
  141. 代深有告文 时深有游方在外
  142. 又告
  143. 礼诵药师告文
  144. 移住上院边厦告文
  145. 礼诵药师经毕告文
  146. 代常通病僧告文
  147. 安期告众文
  148. 告土地文
  149. 告佛约束偈
  150. 二十分识
  151. 因记往事
  152. 四海
  153. 八物
  154. 五死篇
  155. 伤逝
  156. 戒众僧
  157. 六度解
  158. 观音问
  159. 豫约
  160. 寒灯小话
  161. 玉合
  162. 昆仑奴
  163. 拜月
  164. 红拂
  165. 卷五 读史
  166. 曹公 二首
  167. 杨修
  168. 反骚
  169. 《史记》屈原
  170. 渔父
  171. 招魂
  172. 诫子诗
  173. 非有先生论
  174. 子虚
  175. 贾谊
  176. 晁错
  177. 绝交书
  178. 养生论
  179. 琴赋
  180. 幽愤诗
  181. 酒德颂
  182. 思旧赋
  183. 杨升庵集
  184. 蜻蛉谣
  185. 唐贵梅传
  186. 茶夹铭
  187. 李白诗题辞
  188. 伯夷传
  189. 岳王并施全
  190. 张千载
  191. 李涉赠盗
  192. 封使君
  193. 宋统似晋
  194. 逸少经济
  195. 孔北海
  196. 经史相为表里
  197. 锺馗即终葵
  198. 段善本琵琶
  199. 樊敏碑后
  200. 诗画
  201. 党籍碑
  202. 无所不佩
  203. 荀卿李斯吴公
  204. 宋人讥荀卿
  205. 季文子三思
  206. 陈恒弑君
  207. 王半山
  208. 为赋而相灌输
  209. 文公著书
  210. 闇然堂类纂引
  211. 朋友篇
  212. 阿寄传
  213. 孔明为后主写申韩管子六韬
  214. 卷六
  215. 四言长篇
  216. 五七言长篇
  217. 五言四句
  218. 六言四句
  219. 七言四句
  220. 五言八句
  221. 七言八句
  222. 附录一 序跋
  223. 附录二 征引与参考有关明代的主要书录

FAQ

What does the title Book of Burning mean?
The title 'Book of Burning' derives from the historical event in which Li Zhi's works were banned by the court and ordered to be burned; it also alludes to the 'burning' critical force of its contents against orthodox thought. The book is a collection edited by Li Zhi himself and represents his core ideas.
What are the features of Zhang Jianye's annotated edition?
Zhang Jianye's edition uses the reliable Ming imprint of Li Zhuowu's Book of Burning as its base text, with meticulous collation. The annotations focus on clarifying meaning, explaining intellectual background and personal relationships, and include relevant research materials. It is highly scholarly and is currently recognized as the authoritative edition.
What is the significance of Li Zhi's thought today?
Li Zhi's critique of intellectual tyranny, false moralism, and blind deference to authority, together with his advocacy of individuality, sincerity, and independent thought, transcends his time and still prompts deep reflection on freedom of thought, critical spirit, and individual value.

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About the author

张建业 Author

Information about Zhang Jianye's life is quite limited in publicly available sources; his nationality, dates of birth and death, and educational background cannot currently be confirmed. Judging from the work held in the library, he is associated with the writings of the Ming dynasty thinker Li Zhi, specifically the two-volume Fenshu (A Book to Burn), which is classified under Eastern philosophy. This classification fits the intellectual-historical position of Fenshu itself: in this work Li Zhi sharply questions traditional Confucianism and ritual propriety, writing in a direct and argumentative style. As the author credited on this edition, Zhang Jianye's specific contribution—whether annotation, collation, or critical introduction—is difficult to determine given the available materials. Readers interested in late Ming intellectual history or Li Zhi studies may find this book a useful reference text, but a fuller understanding of Zhang Jianye's own academic background and research focus would require more public information.

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