A Rhymed Compilation of the Meaning of the Classics

Name: A Rhymed Compilation of the Meaning of the Classics
ISBN: 9787520139939

李明 / 高巧玲Social Sciences Academic Press (SSAP) · ChinaApr 2019

3.4

Word count: 390K words
Chapters: 30
ISBN: 9787520139939

Report an error Find this book

Summary

The Thirteen Classics are the most important canonical texts shaping the fundamental character of the Chinese nation. To help contemporary readers grasp Confucian classical thought as a whole, this book integrates the core doctrines of the Thirteen Classics with Commentaries and Sub-commentaries and other Confucian classics into eight-character rhymed verses, striving to present them in their original flavor. Its aim is to give more readers the essential grounding in classical Chinese learning, so that they may establish cultural confidence in the Chinese nation from within. The book may thus also be called a "first step into the study of the classics." It is hoped that readers will hold the volume in hand, take the great meaning of the Confucian classics clearly to heart, and then go on to delve deeper into the canonical treasury, savor its nourishment, and put it into practice. If so, is that not a joy?

Editor's review

Jingyi Yunbian is an introductory reader that integrates the core doctrines of the Confucian classics in rhymed form. The author distills the central teachings of the Thirteen Classics with Commentaries and Sub-commentaries and other canonical works into eight-character rhymed verses, linking together lines of thought that were originally scattered across vast volumes of classical texts. The advantage of this arrangement is that it lowers the memory barrier for beginners: the rhythm helps readers build an intuitive sense of the overall framework of classical learning rather than losing themselves in the intricacies of word-by-word exegesis. The book seeks to preserve the original meaning of the classics without excessive elaboration, making it a suitable bridge between "zero foundation" and "a glimpse of the gateway." It can be read as a map of classical learning: first read through the rhymed verses to form an overall impression, then follow the clues back to the original texts for deeper study. For readers who wish to gain a systematic understanding of basic Confucian thought in a relatively short time, this book offers a clearly structured point of entry.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Beginning readers interested in Chinese classical learning but lacking a foundation in the classics
General readers who wish to grasp the framework of Confucian classical thought as a whole
Learners who need rhymed materials to help memorize key points of classical doctrine
Teachers of traditional culture courses in primary and secondary schools may use it as a teaching reference

Not a good fit for

Scholars of the classics who expect word-by-word annotation and detailed exegesis
Specialist readers who need complete original-text comparison or textual collation
Readers who prefer vernacular translation and lengthy doctrinal exposition

Reading tips

First read through the rhymed verses once, without seeking to understand every word, focusing on sensing the overall thread of classical thought and the logic of the arrangement.
When you encounter a classical source mentioned in the verses, mark it as you go, then consult the relevant chapters of the original text.
Recite a short section each day and copy it out to deepen memory, gradually building a feel for classical language.
After finishing, try restating the key teachings of each classic in your own words to test your grasp of the framework.

About the publisher

Social Sciences Academic Press (SSAP) China · Founded in 1985

Founded in 1985, Social Sciences Academic Press (SSAP) is known for its "Pishu" (Blue Book) series, Pishu database, and academic journals, and has long been dedicated to professional academic publishing in the humanities and social sciences. The books in the library cover foreign literature, social sciences, world history, historical reading, politics, and classical poetry. They include cross-cultural works such as The Poetry of Yehuda Amichai (3 volumes, centenary commemorative revised edition) and Similar in Form, Different in Essence: What Are the Structural Differences Between Traditional Chinese and Japanese Political Cultures, as well as world history translations such as The Hundred Years War, Volume 1: Trial by Battle (2 volumes) and To End All Wars: Loyalty, Rebellion, and World War I (1914–1918), along with social science and historical studies such as Six Essays on Spontaneity: Autonomy, Dignity, and Meaningful Work and Play, The Return of the Fierce General: A New Jiangnan History of Dongting East Mountain, and An Example-Based Guide to the Method of Organizing Tang Poetry Documents. Its authors include Yehuda Amichai, Fu Hao, Ge Zhaoguang, Jonathan Sumption, and Adam Hochschild. Public information is limited, so this introduction focuses on the publishing directions reflected in the library's books.

版权信息
题解
《诗经》韵义
一《国风》韵义
二《小雅》韵义
三《大雅》韵义
四 “三颂”韵义
《书经》韵义
一《虞书》韵义
二《夏书》韵义
三《商书》韵义
四《周书》韵义
“三礼”韵义
一《周礼》韵义
二《仪礼》韵义
三《礼记》韵义
《易经》韵义
一《上经》韵义
二《下经》韵义
三《易传》韵义
《春秋》韵义
一《春秋左氏传》韵义
二《春秋公羊传》韵义
三《春秋穀梁传》韵义
《孝经》四书韵义
一《孝经》韵义
二《大学》韵义
三《中庸》韵义
四《论语》韵义
五《孟子》韵义

FAQ

Can I understand this book without a foundation in classical Chinese?

The book presents classical teachings in eight-character rhymed verses. The language is condensed but not word-by-word annotation. Beginners can first read through the verses to sense the overall framework, then consult original texts or reference works for unfamiliar allusions. It is best used as a first stop in classical studies, not the destination.

Does the eight-character rhymed form sacrifice accuracy of classical meaning?

The author integrates the teachings based on the Thirteen Classics with Commentaries and Sub-commentaries and other canonical works; the rhymed form is a means of expression, not creative elaboration, and its purpose is to help readers form an overall impression. Condensed verse necessarily involves selection, and deeper understanding still requires returning to the original texts; the two can be used together.

What is the difference between this book and reading the original Thirteen Classics directly?

The original classics are vast, and beginners can easily get lost in details. This book provides the overall framework and clues of classical thought, helping readers first build a "map" and then follow it into the original texts. Its role is an introductory first step, not a substitute for reading the originals.

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

李明 Author

Li Ming: publicly available information is limited, and the existing sources are not sufficient to confirm his nationality, dates of birth and death, or personal history. Judging from the 24 works held in the collection, Li Ming is an author with a remarkably broad range, writing across management, law, medicine, sports, design, and fiction. Representative works include Competition for the Future for business readers and Short Video: Planning, Production and Operations (MOOC Edition), a textbook closely tied to digital communication practice. His legal works include a cross-reference guide to the judicial interpretations of the General Provisions of the Contract Part of the Civil Code and a volume explaining those provisions with trial practice. The medical title Antibiotics Are a Double-Edged Sword: Don't Let Antibiotics Become a Killer of Health focuses on popular health science; Kettlebell Training is a sports title; design and cultural topics are represented by Studies in Qiang Embroidery Images; and Qingdao Stories is a work of fiction. Overall, his writing balances professional expertise with readability and addresses practitioners and general readers alike.

高巧玲 Author

Gao Qiaoling: publicly available information is limited, and no clear records of birth and death dates, place of origin, or educational background have been found. Among the works held in the collection, only one title appears under this name, Jingyi Yunbian (A Rhymed Compilation of Classical Meanings), classified under Eastern philosophy. Judging from the title, "jingyi" points to the organization and exposition of classical doctrines, while "yunbian" suggests an arrangement by rhyme or rhyme-based categorization, making the text easier to recite and consult. This reflects a writing approach that systematizes and facilitates the reading of traditional classical scholarship. Such a compilation serves both beginners and readers who wish to locate meanings by rhyme and study them repeatedly, giving it a distinctive place between popularizing traditional learning and compiling reference tools. Because verifiable information is scarce, it remains difficult to outline the author's life or overall body of work; only this single title offers a glimpse of a style focused on organizing classical meanings and arranging them for convenient reading, and its influence awaits further assessment as more materials come to light.