Zhuangzi

Chen GuyingMar 2022

5.0

Word count: 155 words
Chapters: 21

Summary

Zhuangzi is a highly important work that, following Laozi, embodies Daoist thought. It is a masterpiece in the history of spiritual freedom in ancient China and holds an unshakable status as an "absolute classic" in the history of Chinese classical literature, philosophy, and artistic thought. The Zhuangzi as it circulates today is divided into three parts—"Inner Chapters," "Outer Chapters," and "Miscellaneous Chapters"—totaling thirty-three chapters. With its profound intellectual content and extraordinary creative technique, it stands apart among the prose works of the pre-Qin thinkers and is a collection of ancient poetic prose brimming with romantic spirit.

Editor's review

Mr. Chen Guying is a representative scholar in the study of Daoist thought in China, and his related translations and annotations have long enjoyed a strong reputation in both academic and reading circles. This edition of Zhuangzi is both accessible and scholarly; its focus is not on tedious word-by-word textual research but on helping ordinary readers truly enter Zhuangzi's world of thought. The book clearly lays out the threads of the "Inner Chapters," "Outer Chapters," and "Miscellaneous Chapters," and its annotations and modern translations balance readability, preserving the original's extraordinary style and romantic atmosphere while illuminating the philosophical meaning behind the fables. Zhuangzi's thought touches on spiritual freedom, views of life and death, relativist epistemology, and political critique. Reading it, one can both feel the imagination of pre-Qin prose and gain reflection on one's real circumstances. It is suitable as a dual reader for both an introduction to classical philosophy and literary appreciation, and is especially suited to slow reading and repeated revisiting in quiet moments.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Ordinary readers who want a systematic introduction to Daoist thought but worry that classical Chinese is hard to read
Enthusiasts of Chinese classical literature and pre-Qin prose who want to experience Zhuangzi's style
Readers in need of spiritual relief and interested in themes of freedom and life and death
University students in humanities general education courses, usable as supplementary reading

Not a good fit for

Professional researchers seeking strict scholarly textual research, requiring textual collation and collected commentaries
Readers who want only quick conclusions and are unwilling to read the original text and annotations
Young readers who prefer highly plot-driven, story-heavy books

Reading tips

Start with "Free and Easy Wandering" and "On the Equality of Things" in the Inner Chapters to grasp Zhuangzi's core propositions before moving on to the rest
For each chapter, read the modern translation first, then return to the original and annotations, so you are not stalled by words at the outset
Keep a notebook to record how the fables correspond to the ideas, and review afterward to form an overall picture
There is no need to read straight through in order; you can read by theme, such as views on life and death, political critique, or nurturing life

导读
一、作者生平
二、版本源流
三、主要思想
四、历史地位
五、时代价值
六、注释说明
庄子
内篇
逍遥游
齐物论
养生主
人间世
德充符
大宗师
应帝王
外篇
骈拇
马蹄
胠箧
在宥

FAQ

Can I understand this edition of Zhuangzi without any foundation in classical Chinese?

Yes. This edition includes annotations and a modern translation, precisely to lower the threshold of reading. It is recommended to read the modern translation first to get the gist, then return to the original, consulting the annotations for key words. On a first reading, do not aim to master everything—just grasp the ideas behind the fables.

In what order should the Inner Chapters, Outer Chapters, and Miscellaneous Chapters of Zhuangzi be read?

It is generally recommended to start with the "Inner Chapters," especially "Free and Easy Wandering" and "On the Equality of Things," which most concentratedly embody Zhuangzi's core thought. The Outer and Miscellaneous Chapters are more varied in content and can be read selectively according to interest once the basic concepts are familiar; there is no need to read straight through from beginning to end.

Is this book better read as a philosophy book or as literature?

Either way works. Zhuangzi is both a philosophical text and a representative of pre-Qin prose, with fantastical fables and poetic language. It is suggested to focus on the thread of thought on the first reading and pay attention to rhetoric and narrative technique on the second, yielding different rewards.

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About the author

Chen Guying Author · China · 1935

Chen Guying, born in 1935 in Changting, Fujian, is a contemporary scholar of Daoism. He graduated from the Department of Philosophy and the Graduate Institute of Philosophy at National Taiwan University, where he studied under Fang Dongmei and Yin Haiguang. He has taught at National Taiwan University and Peking University and is regarded as a representative figure of contemporary New Daoism. Long devoted to the philosophy of Laozi and Zhuangzi and to Daoist culture, his scholarship combines textual annotation with philosophical exposition. His representative works, Laozi: A Modern Commentary and Translation and Zhuangzi: A Modern Commentary and Translation, pair detailed notes with modern translations, making these classical texts more accessible to general readers. Works such as New Discussions of Laozi and Zhuangzi and On the Mainstream of Daoist Philosophy trace the development of Daoist thought from a philosophical-historical perspective. He also edits the journal Daoist Culture Studies, promoting scholarly discussion in the field. His writings have circulated widely and have exerted a considerable influence on the transmission of Daoist philosophy among Chinese-language readers.