Mencius
"Known throughout East Asia as Mengzi, or "Master Meng," Mencius (391-308 B.C.E.) was a Chinese philosopher of the late Zhou dynasty, an instrumental figure in the spread of the Confucian tradition, and a brilliant illuminator of its ideas. Mencius was active during the Warring States Period (403-221 B.C.E.), in which competing powers sought to control the declining Zhou empire. Like Confucius, Mencius journeyed to one feudal court after another, searching for a proper lord who could put his...
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Mencius, who lived in the 4th century B.C., is second only to Confucius in importance in the Confucian tradition. The Mencius consists of sayings of Mencius and conversations he had with his contemporaries. When read side by side with the Analects, the Mencius throws a great deal of light on the teachings of ConfuciusMencius developed many of the ideas of Confucius and at the same time discussed problems not touched upon by Confucius. He drew out the implications of Confucius' moral principles and reinterpreted them for the conditions of his time. As the fullest of the four great Confucian texts, the Mencius has been the required reading amongst Chinese scholars for two thousand years, and it still throws considerable light on the character of the Chinese people.
IntroductionIEmperor Hui of Liang: Book One1IIEmperor Hui of Liang: Book Two19IIIKung-Sun Ch'ou: Book One41IVKung-Sun Ch'ou: Book Two61VDuke Wen of T'eng: Book One79VIDuke Wen of T'eng: Book Two99VIILi Lou: Book One119VIIILi Lou: Book Two139IXWan Chang: Book One157XWan Chang: Book Two177XIMaster Kao: Book One195XIIMaster Kao: Book Two213XIIITo Fathom the Mind: Book One233XIVTo Fathom the Mind: Book Two255Notes275Historical Table283Key Terms285Further Reading287
\ ChoiceA tremendous accomplishment that crowns Bloom's exemplary career.... Essential.\ \ \ \ \ \ Journal of Chinese StudiesAccurate and very fluid; in addition to their other strengths, Bloom and Ivanhoe are both gifted writers of English\ \ \ \ Harold D. RothIrene Bloom is a sensitive and well-trained scholar. Her translation of Mencius, one of the most influential philosophical works ever written in China, marks an important step forward for Asian and Confucian studies.\ \ \ \ \ \ Tu WeimingIrene Bloom's book is an exemplification of the best Sinological scholarship. Its interpretive brilliance will be a source of inspiration for years to come.\ \ \ \ \ \ Alan K. L. ChanWhile Mencius may be generally more 'accessible' when compared with other classical Chinese texts, as P. J. Ivanhoe observes, it is still a challenge to capture in translation the flavor of its fine prose and the force of its arguments. This, I think, is precisely what Bloom sets out to do, and we are richly rewarded for her effort. Her translation is eminently reliable and has a graceful directness and simplicity. Ivanhoe's introduction helpfully highlights key ethical, political, and religious views and relates them to relevant contemporary philosophical debates. This book will be widely used and consulted by scholars.\ \ \
