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Chuang-Tzu: The Inner Chapters
The Inner Chapters are the oldest pieces of the larger collection of writings by several fourth, third, and second century B.C. authors that constitute the classic of Taoism, the Chuang-Tzu (or Zhuangzi). It is this core of ancient writings that is ascribed to Chuang-Tzu himself.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 351
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About the author
Zhuangzi
164 books481 followers庄子 or 莊子 Zhūangzi (c. 369 BC - c. 286 BC).
Zhuangzi, or “Master Zhuang” (also known in the Wade-Giles romanization as Chuang-tzu) was, after Laozi, one of the earliest thinkers to contribute to the philosophy that has come to be known as Daojia, or school of the Way. According to traditional dating, he was an almost exact contemporary of the Confucian thinker Mencius, but there appears to have been little to no communication between them. He is ranked among the greatest of literary and philosophical giants that China has produced. His style is complex—mythical, poetic, narrative, humorous, indirect, and polysemic.
Zhuangzi, or “Master Zhuang” (also known in the Wade-Giles romanization as Chuang-tzu) was, after Laozi, one of the earliest thinkers to contribute to the philosophy that has come to be known as Daojia, or school of the Way. According to traditional dating, he was an almost exact contemporary of the Confucian thinker Mencius, but there appears to have been little to no communication between them. He is ranked among the greatest of literary and philosophical giants that China has produced. His style is complex—mythical, poetic, narrative, humorous, indirect, and polysemic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
May 16, 2016
My first reading of Chuang Tzu. I shall shortly go on to other translations but I enjoyed this one. As is the case with many other readers, I enjoyed the humour and found that much of the philosophy flowed easily from the anecdotes. I still have many questions, however. In particular, being somewhat familiar with 'Dao De Jing', I found the many references to "Heaven and Earth" in Chuang-Tzu confusing. Heaven seemed to have assumed the role of the Dao in much of the text. I am really unclear as to the relationship of the two concepts here in a way that I am not in 'DDJ'.
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I was most impressed by Graham's introductory notes which give a good sense of where Chuang-Tzu is coming from. Simultaneously, I read Graham's section on Chuang-Tzu in his 'Disputers of the Tao' for added understanding.
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Over all, I appreciated the textual notes which added yet greater clarity to the text. I would have appreciated more information on translation however. The 'List of Characters' at the back would be helpful if the characters appeared in the text, but they don't. It would also have been helpful if he had cited translation issues in the text.
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I was most impressed by Graham's introductory notes which give a good sense of where Chuang-Tzu is coming from. Simultaneously, I read Graham's section on Chuang-Tzu in his 'Disputers of the Tao' for added understanding.
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Over all, I appreciated the textual notes which added yet greater clarity to the text. I would have appreciated more information on translation however. The 'List of Characters' at the back would be helpful if the characters appeared in the text, but they don't. It would also have been helpful if he had cited translation issues in the text.
January 12, 2008
The only truly funny philosopher. Whenever I feel bad about my life, I pick up this book and am chuckling within minutes. He puts everything so clearly, with such vivid examples, that you can't help but feel foolish for thinking the world is anything other than wonderfully indifferent to your life, and that's the best way it could be.
September 19, 2011
"Long ago, a certain Chuang Tzu dreamt he was a butterfly -- a butterfly fluttering here and there on a whim, happy and carefree, knowing nothing of Chuang Tzu. Then all of a sudden he woke to find that he was, beyond all doubt, Chuang Tzu. Who knows if it was Chuang Tzu dreaming a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming Chuang Tzu?" -- Chapter 2, Chuang Tzu: The Inner Chapters
Chuang Tzu: The Inner Chapters is a collection of parables believed to have been written by the Taoist teacher Chuang Tzu during the 4th century BCE. This work, along with the Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu, is considered to be the framework over which the philosophy of Taoism developed.
Parables tend to be enigmatic at the best of times and this collection, written not only centuries but millennia ago, is no exception. This isn't a work to be read once and then put aside. These stories will send you off down a path you didn't intend to follow and then bring you back where you started, with the story itself. I found reading this overview of Chuang Tzu from the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, in conjunction with the text, to be very helpful.
This was my first time reading Chuang Tzu: The Inner Chapters and I still haven't tried the Outer Chapters or the Mixed Chapters. I'm sure I'll be coming back to these stories again, and probably coming away with something different each time.
Chuang Tzu: The Inner Chapters is a collection of parables believed to have been written by the Taoist teacher Chuang Tzu during the 4th century BCE. This work, along with the Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu, is considered to be the framework over which the philosophy of Taoism developed.
Parables tend to be enigmatic at the best of times and this collection, written not only centuries but millennia ago, is no exception. This isn't a work to be read once and then put aside. These stories will send you off down a path you didn't intend to follow and then bring you back where you started, with the story itself. I found reading this overview of Chuang Tzu from the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, in conjunction with the text, to be very helpful.
This was my first time reading Chuang Tzu: The Inner Chapters and I still haven't tried the Outer Chapters or the Mixed Chapters. I'm sure I'll be coming back to these stories again, and probably coming away with something different each time.
June 3, 2018
Though I've read the Tao Te Ching many times, this is my first time reading Chuang Tsu, or Zhuangzi, depending on how you anglicize it. At first I wasn't so sure about this book, but it grew on me immensely as I read.
I think I prefer the Tao Te Ching, but I'll be returning to this many times. Probably also trying some other translations. I picked this one up because it was at my library.
I think I prefer the Tao Te Ching, but I'll be returning to this many times. Probably also trying some other translations. I picked this one up because it was at my library.
June 10, 2018
Chuang Tsu is a primary articulator of early Taoist philosophy. This is my first exposure to his writings. Initially, and for now, I am drawn more to Lao Tsu’s aphoristic style, insights and emphasis.
Some of this writing I like a lot. The interconnectedness of things, the power relationships between them and the balance point in those relationships, are conveyed in passages such as this: “When there is no more separation between ‘this’ and ‘that,’ it is called the still-point of Tao. At the still-point in the center of the circle one can see the infinite in all things.” The ebb and flow of energy comes through with this: “When there is separation, there is coming together. When there is coming together, there is dissolution.” Merging into the background, and going with the flow rather than standing out, is a prudent survival strategy, as conveyed by this: “I have been trying for a long time to be useless,” and this: “When I say he has no desire,” Chuang Tsu says, “I mean that he does not disturb his inner well-being with likes and dislikes. He accepts things as they are and does not try to improve upon them.” Chuang Tsu writes of the true man: “Carefree he went. Carefree he came. That was all.” That man accepts “what he was given with delight, and when it was gone, he gave it no more thought. This is called not using the mind against Tao and not using man to help heaven.”
As the introduction suggests (these writings are an anticipation of Zen Buddhism and a “laying of the foundation for a state of emptiness or ego transcendence”), the “Inner Chapters” also seem to transition into something other than what is seen in Tao Te Ching. For example, speaking of a Tao sage who, having transcended “the physical world,” and “all material existence,” and, having seen the One, he began to transcend the distinction of past and present…to enter the land where there is no life or death, where killing does not take away life and giving birth does not add to it.” In another passage, Yen Hui, a Taoist seeker, says: “‘I am not attached to the body and I give up any idea of knowing. By freeing myself from the body and mind, I become one with the infinite. This is what I mean by sitting and forgetting.”’ Right or wrong, in this first reading I sensed a tension in the “Inner Chapters” between a Tao as an impersonal energy stream that one learns to adjust to and work with in a cosmos where there is nothing beyond death, and a Tao as an eternal reality that one can merge with and, thereby, and in that way, live forever.
Some of this writing I like a lot. The interconnectedness of things, the power relationships between them and the balance point in those relationships, are conveyed in passages such as this: “When there is no more separation between ‘this’ and ‘that,’ it is called the still-point of Tao. At the still-point in the center of the circle one can see the infinite in all things.” The ebb and flow of energy comes through with this: “When there is separation, there is coming together. When there is coming together, there is dissolution.” Merging into the background, and going with the flow rather than standing out, is a prudent survival strategy, as conveyed by this: “I have been trying for a long time to be useless,” and this: “When I say he has no desire,” Chuang Tsu says, “I mean that he does not disturb his inner well-being with likes and dislikes. He accepts things as they are and does not try to improve upon them.” Chuang Tsu writes of the true man: “Carefree he went. Carefree he came. That was all.” That man accepts “what he was given with delight, and when it was gone, he gave it no more thought. This is called not using the mind against Tao and not using man to help heaven.”
As the introduction suggests (these writings are an anticipation of Zen Buddhism and a “laying of the foundation for a state of emptiness or ego transcendence”), the “Inner Chapters” also seem to transition into something other than what is seen in Tao Te Ching. For example, speaking of a Tao sage who, having transcended “the physical world,” and “all material existence,” and, having seen the One, he began to transcend the distinction of past and present…to enter the land where there is no life or death, where killing does not take away life and giving birth does not add to it.” In another passage, Yen Hui, a Taoist seeker, says: “‘I am not attached to the body and I give up any idea of knowing. By freeing myself from the body and mind, I become one with the infinite. This is what I mean by sitting and forgetting.”’ Right or wrong, in this first reading I sensed a tension in the “Inner Chapters” between a Tao as an impersonal energy stream that one learns to adjust to and work with in a cosmos where there is nothing beyond death, and a Tao as an eternal reality that one can merge with and, thereby, and in that way, live forever.
February 7, 2017
A profound and entertaining book, The Inner Chapters is seven chapters of stories, fables and musings attributed to the Chinese philosopher Chuang Tzu, or Zhuangzi. The following 'Outer Chapters/Mixed Chapters' were written by others in order to expand on the Taoist philosophy of Chuang Tzu, which are beneficial but are missing the charm of Chuang Tzu's prose.
May 11, 2020
Escribir tantas palabras lindas para terminar proclamando: lo mejor es estar callado y no pensar en nada. Aceptar negación y afirmación. Abrazar la totalidad. Etcétera.
May 6, 2009
First of all, Chaung-tzu/Zhuangzi lived around the time of king solomon. So it's pretty unfuckingbelievable that he was so clever.
Second- you can basically reduce his thought to- stop thinking. IN FACT- it almost seems like he committed a sin against mankind by writing down what he thought- seeing as how he even states that to know how to say the Way pretty much means you have no fucking idea what it is.
But, if philosophy is the study of wisdom I suppose those that pursue the study have to take it in the bo-bo.
In terms of practical application to your life- uh. Daoism as Zhuangzi sees it would clearly relieve you of all anxiety, plus you'd be like... on to "it".
Of course, that seems kind of paradoxical.. how can there be "a" way. a "the" way. How can you ever leave the way.
So Zhuangzi gets all Catholic about it and talks about the kind of knowing and acting that a person who is so long practiced at something they no longer think about it but simply do and do it perfectly. Ok... how do we get there oh wise one? and to this, dude who may never have existed and even if he did all we have is some really messed up writings that are older than the bible.. well he doesn't tell you. Not really.
In the end, Zhuangzi is like a jump into a cold pool from the sauna of your life. I think it's less important what he's trying to say, if he's trying to say anything, and more important what it makes you think about.
but that's true of just about everything by my philosophy...
why are you reading a review of a book anyway?
Second- you can basically reduce his thought to- stop thinking. IN FACT- it almost seems like he committed a sin against mankind by writing down what he thought- seeing as how he even states that to know how to say the Way pretty much means you have no fucking idea what it is.
But, if philosophy is the study of wisdom I suppose those that pursue the study have to take it in the bo-bo.
In terms of practical application to your life- uh. Daoism as Zhuangzi sees it would clearly relieve you of all anxiety, plus you'd be like... on to "it".
Of course, that seems kind of paradoxical.. how can there be "a" way. a "the" way. How can you ever leave the way.
So Zhuangzi gets all Catholic about it and talks about the kind of knowing and acting that a person who is so long practiced at something they no longer think about it but simply do and do it perfectly. Ok... how do we get there oh wise one? and to this, dude who may never have existed and even if he did all we have is some really messed up writings that are older than the bible.. well he doesn't tell you. Not really.
In the end, Zhuangzi is like a jump into a cold pool from the sauna of your life. I think it's less important what he's trying to say, if he's trying to say anything, and more important what it makes you think about.
but that's true of just about everything by my philosophy...
why are you reading a review of a book anyway?
August 26, 2016
This is a vibrant translation of an overlooked -- and important -- work of Chinese philosophy. Chuang Tzu (or Chuangzi) is best known in the West for his question about an afternoon nap: Am I a man dreaming of being a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming of being a man? But there is much more to Chuang Tsu, and this brief work (barely 100 small pages) was so compelling as soon as I finished, I read it again. David Hinton's translation is excellent, the contents profound and "The Inner Chapters" is as powerful and enlightening as the "Dao de Jing" and as important as the "Analects."
There are elements of Taoism and references to Confucius but Chuang Tzu is his own man, and anyone with a serious interest in Eastern philosophy needs to add this to the to-read shelf.
There are elements of Taoism and references to Confucius but Chuang Tzu is his own man, and anyone with a serious interest in Eastern philosophy needs to add this to the to-read shelf.
March 1, 2010
This is my favorite translation of Zhuangzi. Although Graham does rearrange the text somewhat, mainly in the outer and miscellaneous chapters, which makes some scholars squeamish, for me it is the most aesthetically pleasing translation available. Watson and Mair's translations are also good if you want to read a complete version in the original chapter order. Recently, Brook Ziporyn has produced a new version which includes the interlineal commentary present in the Chinese received version, which is very interesting as well.
August 13, 2016
"The ruler of the South Sea was called Light;
the ruler of the North Sea, Darkness;
and the ruler of the Middle Kingdom, Primal Chaos.
From time to time, Light and Darkness met each other in the
kingdom of Primal Chaos, who made them welcome.
Light and Darkness wanted to repay his kindness and said,
'All people have seven openings with which they see, hear, eat,
and breathe, but Primal Chaos has none.
Let us try to give him some.'
So every day they bored one hole,
and on the seventh day, Primal Chaos died."
-Chuang Tsu
the ruler of the North Sea, Darkness;
and the ruler of the Middle Kingdom, Primal Chaos.
From time to time, Light and Darkness met each other in the
kingdom of Primal Chaos, who made them welcome.
Light and Darkness wanted to repay his kindness and said,
'All people have seven openings with which they see, hear, eat,
and breathe, but Primal Chaos has none.
Let us try to give him some.'
So every day they bored one hole,
and on the seventh day, Primal Chaos died."
-Chuang Tsu
August 24, 2007
Don't disfigure yourself with that's it that's not, and don't get suckered by Laozi when you can read something written by a real person.
January 30, 2018
Although I enjoy Taoist philosophy in general, it didn't appeal to me as much as the Tao Te Ching, for example. I wonder if a different translation might be better.
June 11, 2021
No book is perfect, but the wisdoms contained herein are well worth the rating. Furthermore, this is an excellent translation: the text is largely engaging, the layout regularly enhances the text, and the notes help to contextualize the often obscure philosophical notions of Zhuang Zhou and the other purported authors. Besides the Dao De Jing, this book is probably the best way to get to the root of Daoism.
September 12, 2021
"بدون وجهة محددة مسبقًا ، أنت حر في الاستفادة القصوى من أي شيء يقدم نفسه ، وتكييف نفسك وفقًا لذلك. بمجرد أن تحدّد هدفًا نهائيًا ، فإنك تنتقل إلى منطقة yu-wei (الفعل الهادف) ، وتصبح أفعالك هادفة ، وقد تفوتك أفضل الامتيازات في رحلتك"
جوانغ زي
جوانغ زي
October 26, 2013
I've long been a fan of Lao Tsu, so I found this text a bit disappointing. It does have the famous "butterfly" verse in it, but overall I found the stories pedantic if not downright Confucian (the opposite of Taoist), and somewhat lacking the mystical essence (or nothingness) of Lao Tsu. Still, there is wisdom that shines through enough to make it worth reading.
My last book from Gateways book store in Santa Cruz :-(
My last book from Gateways book store in Santa Cruz :-(
August 3, 2015
A collection of writings which represent the heart of early Taoist literature by Chuang-Tzu, 369 BC to 286 BC. This particular translation is a fun read, David Hinton having taken a light hearted but insightful approach to conjuring some of the meaning lost when moving from a language with implied meaning like Chinese to English, where meaning must be directly expressed. The last 2 pieces are my favorite works of this text.
July 24, 2017
The Inner Chapters is a wonderful compilation of poetic and anecdotal explanations of navigating life in harmony with the Tao, or the Way. It's fascinating for those who enjoy Eastern philosophy, Buddhism, Taoism, or just improving upon your own mind. Chuang Tzu is the less political of the two main Taoist philosophers, and his writings focus on your personal life. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in improving their life, decreasing stress, or just learning about Taoism.
February 19, 2009
The best of Daoist philosophy. Best known for the dream of the butterfly, Zhuangzi explains daoist thinking through imagined dialogue and fable. The explanation of an accord that reaches all the way to heaven is necessary for anyone who studies skepticism and wants to place it in a non-individualistic context.
January 11, 2008
Excellent translation and notes. Translating puns is not that hard to do, all it requires are a few parentheses and foot note or two, but so far no author has taken it upon themselves to explain the literary nature of Zhuangzi, only the philosophical. A sore loss.
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October 23, 2008Chuang Tzu is one of my favorites. This book is alright however the layout is not the greatest. Each chapter feels a little cramped for space in the overall spectrum of his life and thought. I still think its worth picking up, just be prepared for the task.
July 25, 2012
This is a good translation of the classical texts, which were a helpful addition to my limited understanding of the Tao. In addition, the book itself is visually beautiful, which enhances the reading of it.
May 25, 2012
Possibly my favorite book of all time! I even named my bookshop after it.....
When you need to find your place in the universe (even if just for this moment)Chuang Tsu is your go-to! I highly recommend reading a chapter every morning while sipping a hot cup of green tea.
When you need to find your place in the universe (even if just for this moment)Chuang Tsu is your go-to! I highly recommend reading a chapter every morning while sipping a hot cup of green tea.
February 17, 2015
Interesting read on Tao and Chinese philosophical concepts. The middleway is also discussed.
Read for the purposes of traditional rhetorical strategies and styles which are evidenced through the dialogues.
Read for the purposes of traditional rhetorical strategies and styles which are evidenced through the dialogues.
September 1, 2017
Some of the passages were excellent, but many of them, especially with the odd translation of names (I'd rather it been left as "pinyin" with a literal translation as a footnote) seemed to distract from the message.
June 24, 2007
beautiful and clear translation of the zhuang zi.
October 5, 2008
more colorful to Tao Te Ching, more expressive//fantastic interpretation of the eternal Tao
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November 6, 2009Another wonderful translation by Gia Fu Feng and Jane English. I love Chuang Tsu's surreal sense of humour
December 29, 2011
I love this book! I pull it out and read a passage whenever I feel I am trying to accomplish too much.
August 16, 2010
Truth and beauty from our ancient human roots.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews