Chuang Tzu: The Inner Chapters [Paperback]

David Hinton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1998

David Hintons compelling new translation of Chuang Tzus Inner Chapters makes these ancient texts from the Golden Age of Chinese philosophy accessible to contemporary readers. Standing alongside the Tao Te Ching as a founding text in the Taoist tradition, Chuang Tzu is highly readablewith a wild menagerie of characters and passages full of witty and engaging anecdotes. Revered for millennia in the Chinese spiritual tradition, Chuang Tzu stands alongside the Tao Te Ching as a founding classic of Taoism. The Inner Chapters is the only sustained section of this text widely believed to be the work of Chuang Tzu himself, dating to the fourth century B.C. Witty and engaging, spiced with the lyricism of poetry, Chuang Tzus Taoist insights are timely and eternal, profoundly concerned with spiritual ecology. Indeed, the Tao of Chuang Tzu was a wholesale rejection of a human-centered approach. Zen traces its sources back to these Taoist roots--roots at least as deep as those provided by Buddhism. But this is an ancient text that yields a surprisingly modern effect. In bold and startling prose, David Hintons translation captures the zany texture and philosophical abandon of the original. The Inner Chapterss fantastical passages--in which even birds and trees teach us what they know--offer up a wild menagerie of characters, freewheeling play with language, and surreal humor. And interwoven with Chuang Tzus sharp instruction on the Tao are short-short stories that are often rough and ribald, rich with satire and paradox.On their deepest level, The Inner Chapters are a meditation on the mysteries of knowledge itself. Chuang Tzus propositions, the translators introduction reminds us, seem to be in constant transformation, for he deploys words and concepts only to free us of words and concepts. Hintons vital new translation makes this ancient text from the golden age of Chinese philosophy accessible to contemporary readers.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The Chuang Tzu, named after its author (364-290 B.C.E.), along with the Tao Te Ching, form the basis for philosophical Taoism. Only the "inner chapters," the first seven of the 33, are completely attributed to Chuang Tzu. Hinton offers a vibrant translation that captures the subtlety, complexity, ambiguity, and profound depth of the Eastern text. His ten-page introduction sets the work in its historical context and shows how Chuang Tzu's perspective is revealed through his use of language. Hinton is helpful in pointing out the numerous genres?humor, parable, myth, story, and philosophy?Chuang Tzu has used to compose his text. Hinton's refreshing translation is modern while at the same time capturing, rather than distorting, the Eastern essence of this work. Highly recommended even for libraries having a previous copy of this work.?David Bourquin, California State Univ., San Bernadino
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Chinese --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Counterpoint (June 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887178791
• ISBN-13: 978-1887178792
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #351,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #86 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Language Nonfiction > Chinese

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a truly outstanding translation., June 19, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Chuang Tzu: The Inner Chapters (Hardcover)

This is the only translation of Chuang Tzu which possesses the spontaneity of genius and invention. By translating most of the Chinese names, David Hinton reveals some of the fairly hidden context of the disucussion. Moreover, while Chuang Tzu is often characterized as a "humorist", only this translation captures some of the extraordinary irony that runs through these writings

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliantly written, March 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Chuang Tzu: The Inner Chapters (Paperback)

Chuang Tzu's literary themes and format of choice differ considerably from those of the more famous Lao Tzu; his prose anecdotes are more accessible than Lao Tzu's didactic verse, yet often deeper as well, and are worthy of examination even by those with no particular interest in Taoist philosophy.

How accurate is this work as translation? Not being familiar with the original Chinese, I can't say -- but the English phrasings are extraordinarily effective in their own right, far clearer and more beautiful than those in another, more popular version that I've seen.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book, October 2, 2004

By 

Neal J. Pollock (VA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Chuang Tzu: The Inner Chapters (Paperback)

I haven't read any other translations so I cannot comment per the prior reviewers' disagreement over this. On the other hand, some folks prefer a very literal translation and others perfer to optimize the poetic nature or the philosophical meaning and accuracy. There may not be a right or wrong on this point. However, the quality of Chuang Tzu's work is not in question--it's magnificent. This translation appeared to preserve the poetic beauty of the original while retaining its philosophical/religious integrity--but then, I don't read Chinese. I suggest you read it and form your own opinion.