A General Introduction to Laozi

Name: A General Introduction to Laozi
ISBN: 9787101157499

郭永秉Zhonghua Book Company · ChinaSep 2022

4.1

Word count: 85K words
Chapters: 26
ISBN: 9787101157499

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Summary

The Laozi, also known as the Daodejing or Dedaojing, is a highly important classic of the pre-Qin era that later became a foundational text of the Daoist school. Over the course of its transmission, both the figure of Laozi and the book itself underwent a long process of evolution, exerting a profound influence on the development of Chinese philosophy. The five thousand words of the Laozi are concise yet far-reaching in meaning, and reading them thoroughly is no easy task.

In his General Introduction to the Laozi, Professor Guo Yongbing of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Fudan University uses accessible scholarly language and draws fully on transmitted and excavated texts, allowing multiple versions to complement and corroborate one another. On this basis, he carefully unravels such questions as who Laozi was; the nature and essential teachings of the Laozi; how today's readers should read it; its influence on ancient political culture; and how we should choose among the complex textual versions—guiding general readers into the wondrous and mysterious world of the Laozi.

Editor's review

Professor Guo Yongbing's General Introduction to the Laozi is an excellent guide to the Laozi that is grounded in current scholarship while remaining accessible to a general readership. Rather than offering a simple chapter-by-chapter walkthrough, the book is guided by a strong sense of inquiry, leading readers deep into the intellectual core and historical context of the Laozi. Drawing on his deep grounding in paleography and classical philology, the author provides a clear and insightful account of the text's transmission (such as the relationship among the Guodian Chu slips, the Mawangdui silk manuscripts, and the received Wang Bi edition) and of the evolution and interpretive history of its core concepts (Dao, De, ziran, wuwei, and others). The book both assesses the strengths and weaknesses of commentaries through the ages and responds to certain popular views in modern philosophical interpretation, displaying rigorous scholarly judgment.

For ordinary readers, the book's greatest value lies in serving as a reliable “map of thought,” helping them avoid the pitfalls of literal-minded reading and over-interpretation and grasp the complexity and many-sidedness of Laozi's philosophy. Guo Yongbing's prose is plain and restrained, avoiding any pretense of profundity, and organically combines textual criticism with philosophical exposition, so that readers naturally deepen their understanding of Laozi's thought through learning “how the Laozi came to be what it is.” Whether as a first guide for beginners or as advanced reference for those with some background, the book offers a solid textual foundation and broad intellectual horizons—an excellent work that withstands repeated reading and reveals new depths each time.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers with a strong interest in ancient Chinese philosophy, especially Daoist thought
Readers of literature and history who wish to systematically understand the textual origins, core concepts, and scholarly research on the Laozi
University students in literature, history, and philosophy, for whom it serves as a high-quality introduction and reference for in-depth study of the Laozi
Readers dissatisfied with popular interpretations who seek more solid scholarly support and rational inquiry

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting inspirational life lessons or simple success-formula applications
Readers seeking only fragmented, superficial, speed-read-style familiarity with the Laozi

Reading tips

Read through the whole book first to gain an impression of the overall framework of Laozi studies, then return to specific chapters alongside the original text of the Laozi
While reading, pay particular attention to the author's comparative analysis of different versions of the Laozi and reflect on the intellectual-historical significance behind textual differences
The book involves considerable scholarly discussion; if you encounter difficult points, do not feel obliged to digest them all at once—grasp the core arguments first and return to them as your reading deepens

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.

版权信息
编者的话
“光而不耀”的“巨著”《老子》
一老子是谁
1.《史记·老子列传》：疑信之间
2.孔子与老聃、老子、老彭、彭祖：历史与传说之间
3.“南方之强”与南人的智慧渊源
二《老子》这部书的性质
1.《老子》是一部完整的著作还是格言汇抄
2.谣谚体箴言的起源与《老子》的性质
3.老子站在何种立场创作《老子》
三《老子》要义及要语
1.《老子》要义
2.《老子》要语
四今天我们如何读《老子》
1.为何读《老子》一定要结合出土本
2.出土的本子是否有局限
3.对于疑难章句的纷纭众说当如何去取
4.注意文本中细节差异的合理解释
五有无之间
1.从老子到“黄老”
2.老子何以与韩非同传
3.离用为体的庄列与离体为用的申韩
附录北京大学藏西汉竹书《老子》校定释文
参考文献
后记

FAQ

How is this book different from other books interpreting the Laozi on the market?

The book's core distinction lies in its strong sense of inquiry and solid textual foundation. It goes beyond chapter-by-chapter translation or impressionistic exposition, focusing instead on fundamental questions such as how the Laozi came to be written and how its core concepts were interpreted through the ages, building its discussion on the latest excavated texts and scholarly research. It combines academic rigor with readability.

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

The author has fully considered the general reader's accessibility, providing clear modern explanations for all necessary classical citations. As long as you have some patience and an interest in thinking, even with a weak foundation in classical Chinese you can follow the author's reasoning and grasp the main points and argumentative logic. Of course, having a copy of the original Laozi on hand for comparison will make the reading even more rewarding.

Is this book suitable as an introduction to the Laozi?

Very much so. It offers a far more reliable and systematic entry point than popular books. Although it involves scholarly discussion, the author aims to build readers a correct framework for understanding the Laozi and prevent them from falling into common misunderstandings at the outset. It can be described as a “high-starting-point” introduction that sets readers on the track of deep thinking from the very beginning.

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About the author

郭永秉 Author

Public information on Guo Yongbing is limited, and his nationality, dates of birth and death, and full career cannot be confirmed at present. Still, the two works held in the collection offer a rough picture of his writing interests. He focuses on classical Chinese texts and the study of language and writing. His representative work Jinshi You Sheng: Wenxian yu Wenzi Duansxiang ("The Sound of Bronze and Stone: Reflections on Texts and Writing") centers on reflections about documents and script, showing an interest in traditional scholarship such as epigraphy and textual criticism. Laozi Tongshi ("A General Introduction to Laozi") turns to a popular reading of the Daoist classic Laozi, guiding general readers through its intellectual threads. The two books fall under the categories of culture and philosophical reading, suggesting that his writing is both scholarly and accessible: he engages with textual detail while also offering general readers an introductory guide. Overall, Guo Yongbing is an author whose writing centers on traditional Chinese culture and the interpretation of classics; more material is needed to describe the length and style of his works.