Customer Reviews

The Four Books: The Basic Teachings of the Later Confucian Tradition

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"The Four Books" by Gardner is a valuable book for Americans beginning to study Confucianism. There is a fine and succinct introduction to the historical context of the Four Books. It is hard to find copies of The "Great Learning" and "The Doctrine of the Mean" in English, but they are both here in their entirety along with abridged versions of The Analects and The Mencius. Garner translates the title of The Doctrine of the Mean (the common English name) to "Maintaining Perfect Balance."

I prefer Gardner's translation of The Great Learning to the most commonly available translation by James Legge. Also, Gardner provides a lot of commentary.

Do not worry about the 1 star review from the another reviewer. That reviewer cannot express himself well in English. How can he criticize a translation from Chinese to English when he has not mastered English?

I very highly recommend Learning to Be A Sage: Selections from the Conversations of Master Chu, Arranged Topically also translated by Gardner. This second book by Gardner made a big impact on my life.

Studying Confucianism can change your life.

This is a great English translation of The Four Books compiled by Zhu Xi with commentary by the author. Even though it was a book for a class, I will keep it in my library for future reference.

Hi,

I have read many of the chinese classics and this author does not do justice to the orignal translation at all. It is full of modern distortion the cloud the real true profound truth of the 4 books of enlightened moral and benevolent (govenment who governs for the people. Not for their own personal gain) goverment ruling.

For an author that does do great justice in his work check out Thomas Cleary a PHD from Harvard and has done many many translations of ancient chinese works. His works are not complete but it is from my knowledge the best english and most accurate english translation of ancient chinese spiritual/philosophical/political/military classics