Guiguzi
Tags
Summary
Editor's review
In the editor's view, the edition's most striking highlight is its "disenchantment" and "reconstruction." It systematically sorts out the ancient Chinese political philosophy, social psychology, and practical communication strategies contained in the Guiguzi, revealing a deeper wisdom beyond mere "scheming"—how to observe human nature, seize timing, and analyze circumstances. The commentary sections are especially fine, affirming its positive significance under specific historical conditions while objectively assessing the limitations of its thought, guiding readers toward critical thinking. For readers who wish to understand the less mainstream but highly penetrating side of classical Chinese thought, this edition is a rare and excellent read.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Advanced readers with a strong interest in ancient Chinese philosophy and strategic thought
- Managers or practitioners hoping to draw inspiration for communication, negotiation, and situational analysis from classical wisdom
- Students and researchers in history, Chinese, or philosophy who need a reliable scholarly reference
- General readers who enjoy classic texts rich in thought and contemporary relevance
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking simple, quick-fix "success" or "thick-black" methods
- Complete beginners unfamiliar with classical Chinese and its historical background who lack the patience to read annotations
Reading tips
- Begin by reading the "Preface" and "Introduction" to build an overall understanding of the book's intellectual system and historical background.
- When reading the main text, proceed in the order of "original text—annotations—translation—commentary," going deeper step by step and focusing on the core theme and logic of each chapter.
- Read alongside specific cases of persuasion in the Intrigues of the Warring States to appreciate how Guiguzi's thought was applied and transformed in practice.
About the publisher
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
- 版权信息
- 捭阖第一
- 反应第二
- 内揵第三
- 抵巇第四
- 飞箝第五
- 忤合第六
- 揣篇第七
- 摩篇第八
- 权篇第九
- 谋篇第十
- 决篇第十一
- 符言第十二
- 转丸第十三、胠乱第十四
- 本经阴符七术
- 盛神法五龙
- 养志法灵龟
- 实意法螣蛇
- 分威法伏熊
- 损兑法灵蓍
- 散势法鸷鸟
- 转圆法猛兽
- 持 枢
- 中 经
FAQ
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About the author
Xu Fuhong is an author in the field of Chinese books who focuses on collating and annotating pre-Qin classics. Public information about him is limited, and details such as his biography, education, and positions have not been clearly recorded. Four of his works are currently included in the database, including Guiguzi: Chinese Classic Masterpieces, Guiguzi, and Guiguzi: Chinese Classic Pocket Library, all centered on the book Guiguzi and commonly classified under philosophy and Eastern philosophy. Judging from the form of these works, Xu Fuhong's writing emphasizes textual collation, annotation, and vernacular interpretation of the original text, aimed at general readers who wish to engage with ancient Chinese thought rather than at purely academic monographs. The appearance of multiple editions in different series and libraries indicates that these collations have gained some recognition in popular publishing channels, offering readers a relatively reliable introductory text for understanding the political strategies and rhetorical wisdom in Guiguzi.
