Confucian Way

by Ch'en Li-Fu

First published in 1986. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published May 27, 1986

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the English translation of Ch’en Li-fu’s magnum opus of sorts: an arrangement and commentary on the Four Books of Confucianism. His arrangement is thematic and stems from a basic root principle outwards. At times the translation can be a little awkward. Having read the original Chinese version, I can say it is a faithful and close translation of it, which can leave some parts perhaps confusing to those who don’t understand the original material. This is an abridged version of the much larger 2-volume original, from what I can tell. The English-language introduction written by the author just for this version is an interesting addition to those of us interested in Ch’en’s writings.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book* is an amazing systematic presentation of the Four Books of Confucianism by a recent scholar who lived through some turbulent times in China. Li Fu Chen** was a minister to Chiang Kai-shek though intellectually he was more in line with Dr. Sun Yatsen's teachings. The book contains the entire Four Books rearranged in outline format based on the Great Learning eightfold division***. Note: there are duplicates for passages that apply to more than one category, so we can be confident the outline is comprehensive as well as the individual content for categories; i.e., he did not just pigeon-hole passages but placed each where it best fit in all instances.

Systematic presentation have their limitations to be sure, but they also have value to the careful scholar and this is a gold-standard example of how to do it. It contains, for the most part, the text of the Four Books but where he comments it is rich and powerful; from someone who was really trying to apply the ageless teachings in a modern way.

Note: this also contains an original translation by Shih Shun Liu, Ph. D., LL. D. I found it very insightful and could be very valuable in its own right.

My only (very minor) gripe is the typesetting is very primitive and there are numerous typos.

* I have two versions: (1) published 1972 by The Commercial Press, Ltd. (Republic of China), library of Congress #77-182420; (2) published 1986 by KPI (London, New York, Sydney and Henley) with a forward by Joseph Needham.

** Li Fu Chen, M.S., LL. D., Ph. D. was on the cover of Time magazine May 26, 1947. After the mainland was lost he became an official in the government of Taiwan. He died in 2001

*** (1)The Investigation of Things, (2) The Extension of Knowledge, (3) The Sincerity of Thoughts, (4) The Rectification of Hearts, (5) The Cultivation of the Person, (6) The Regulation of the Family, (7) The Government of the State, (8) The Pacification of the World.