Laozi

Name: Laozi
ISBN: 9787229019426

殷旵Chongqing Publishing House · ChinaJul 2015

3.8

Word count: 6.9K words
Chapters: 84
ISBN: 9787229019426

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Summary

The core of the book Laozi is the 'Dao' (the Way). It inherits the naive dialectical thought of works such as the Zhouyi and the Hongfan, revealing the interdependence of things. It also advances the atheist idea that 'the way of heaven is natural and acts through non-action.' Laozi looks beyond the universe: compared with the Dao, all things in the universe are but small existences. Its content is broad and profound, and even today some aspects of its study remain unsettled. For researchers, Laozi is as it says of itself: 'There is a thing formed in confusion, born before heaven and earth — silent and void, standing alone unchanging, circling ceaselessly.'

Editor's review

This edition of Laozi, compiled and annotated by Yin Chan, is no simple annotation of an ancient text but an interpretive work that blends a modern perspective with philosophical reflection. Published by Chongqing Press in a finely produced volume with clear typography, its core value lies in the editor Yin Chan's distinctive approach to interpreting the Dao De Jing. The book not only analyzes the original text of all eighty-one chapters one by one but also strives to uncover the timeless life wisdom and philosophy of conduct in Laozi's thought, attempting to connect ancient metaphysical speculation with the spiritual perplexities and lived experience of contemporary people. Yin Chan's interpretive language is plain yet thought-provoking, avoiding the obscurity of excessive academic jargon, so that the profound concepts of Dao and De become approachable and open to reflection. For readers encountering Laozi for the first time, this book offers a solid and friendly stepping stone; for those already familiar with it, it can bring new angles of thought and possibilities of interpretation. It is more like an erudite guide leading readers through the mists of a two-thousand-year-old text to touch that enduring wisdom about nature, humility, flexibility, and inner strength.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Beginners in Chinese classics who are new to the Dao De Jing and seek systematic, accessible guidance.
Readers interested in traditional Chinese philosophy, especially Daoist thought, and seeking its modern relevance.
Readers at a turning point in life or seeking inner peace, hoping to draw inspiration from classical wisdom.
Enthusiasts who enjoy philosophical reflection and expect in-depth interpretation rather than mere translation of the classical Chinese.

Not a good fit for

Professional researchers seeking rigorous academic textual criticism and collation of editions.
Readers hoping to quickly acquire success formulas or utilitarian techniques for getting along in the world.

Reading tips

Read in order, beginning with the editor's introduction to grasp the basic framework and perspective of the interpretation.
Keep a notebook handy to jot down passages that resonate and personal reflections; there is no need to rush.
Combine reading with observation of life, trying to reflect on daily life through the book's viewpoints and appreciate how the Dao manifests in life.

About the publisher

Chongqing Publishing House China · Founded in 1950

Chongqing Publishing House is a comprehensive publisher known for its titles in the humanities, social sciences, literature and arts, with about 940 books in its catalogue. Its publishing areas cover world history, science fiction, foreign literature, architecture and philosophy. Representative titles include Xiang Da's A History of Communications Between China and the West, Liang Sicheng's Rules of Qing-Style Construction, Liu Cixin's The Three-Body Problem II: The Dark Forest and III: Death's End, Ann Rand's The Fountainhead (25th Anniversary Edition), and Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive series. Its authors include Xiang Da, Liu Cixin, Liang Sicheng and Ann Rand. The press has developed distinctive strengths in historical source editing, the introduction and creation of science fiction, the translation of foreign literature, and architecture and philosophy titles, balancing scholarly value with general readership. As public information is limited, this profile outlines its publishing directions based only on the books in the catalogue.

版权信息
道经
一章
二章
三章
四章
五章
六章
七章
八章
九章
十章
十一章
十二章
十三章
十四章
十五章
十六章
十七章
十八章
十九章
二十章
二十一章
二十二章
二十三章
二十四章
二十五章
二十六章
二十七章
二十八章
二十九章
三十章
三十一章
三十二章
三十三章
三十四章
三十五章
三十六章
三十七章
德经
三十八章
三十九章
四十章
四十一章
四十二章
四十三章
四十四章
四十五章
四十六章
四十七章
四十八章
四十九章
五十章
五十一章
五十二章
五十三章
五十四章
五十五章
五十六章
五十七章
五十八章
五十九章
六十章
六十一章
六十二章
六十三章
六十四章
六十五章
六十六章
六十七章
六十八章
六十九章
七十章
七十一章
七十二章
七十三章
七十四章
七十五章
七十六章
七十七章
七十八章
七十九章
八十章
八十一章

FAQ

What direction does this book's interpretation lean toward?

The interpretation focuses more on the modern transformation of philosophical thought and life wisdom, emphasizing how Laozi's ideas inspire personal cultivation, attitudes toward conduct, and spiritual refinement, rather than a religious or historical-textual direction.

Does the book include the complete original text of the Dao De Jing?

Yes. The book is based on the complete original text of all eighty-one chapters of the Dao De Jing, with detailed annotations, vernacular translation, and the editor Yin Chan's focused interpretation and exposition for each chapter.

Is it suitable as an introduction to Chinese classics for young readers?

The language is relatively plain and the exposition accessible, making it a good introductory guide to the Chinese classics for senior high school or university students with reasonably strong reading comprehension.

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About the author

殷旵 Author

Publicly available information about Yin Chan is limited: details such as nationality, dates of birth and death, and educational background are not clearly recorded, and what can be confirmed rests mainly on the works attributed to this name. Two titles are held in the collection, both devoted to the Zhouyi (Book of Changes) and the Laozi, two core texts of traditional Chinese thought. This suggests a focus on pre-Qin philosophy and on the Daoist and Yijing traditions. In subject matter, Yin Chan's writing generally starts from the original texts, offering explanation and extension of the hexagram and line statements and of the chapters on the Dao, in a concise and plain style that stresses coherence of meaning rather than elaborate textual criticism. In Chinese book classification these works are often placed under Eastern philosophy and are aimed at general readers and beginners interested in traditional wisdom. Because verifiable material is scarce, little can be said in detail about academic lineage or the process of composition; readers may do better to return directly to the texts and form their own sense of the author's approach and choices through the specific interpretations.