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SUNY series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture
Understanding the Analects of Confucius: A New Translation of Lunyu with Annotations
Winner of the 2019 Aldo and Jeanne Scaglione Prize for a Translation of a Scholarly Study of Literature presented by the Modern Language AssociationThe Analects of Confucius is arguably the single most influential work of China's cultural heritage. In this new English translation, Peimin Ni accomplishes the rare feat of simultaneously providing a faithful translation of the text, offering his own reading based on gongfu (practice) perspective, and presenting major alternative readings to help the reader understand how diverse interpretations and controversies arise. In addition to the inclusion of the original Chinese text, Ni adds a comprehensive introduction, a discussion of key terms, annotations, and extensive cross-references. In doing so, Ni makes the text accessible and engaging for today's audience.
- GenresPhilosophyChina
510 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2017
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July 14, 2023
"The Master said, 'Only when the cold season comes do we realize that the pine and cypress are the last to wither.'"
In my last semester of college, I took an "advanced eastern philosophy" course on Confucianism taught by professor Ni that turned out to be my favorite course that I took as an undergraduate. This annotated translation of the Confucian Analects was one of the assigned texts for the course, and I was drawn to it immediately.
Ni has clearly taken great care to make his translation as technically accurate to the original language as possible. I appreciated the occasional addition of important Chinese words in parentheses into the text. The commentary frequently clarifies and elaborates on puzzling words and concepts, which is useful in a work full of so many short sayings.
With this translation, Ni has demonstrated a real respect and admiration for Confucius (as a philosopher, a spiritual leader, and a person) on his part. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in learning about Confucius, Confucianism, and the Analects.
In my last semester of college, I took an "advanced eastern philosophy" course on Confucianism taught by professor Ni that turned out to be my favorite course that I took as an undergraduate. This annotated translation of the Confucian Analects was one of the assigned texts for the course, and I was drawn to it immediately.
Ni has clearly taken great care to make his translation as technically accurate to the original language as possible. I appreciated the occasional addition of important Chinese words in parentheses into the text. The commentary frequently clarifies and elaborates on puzzling words and concepts, which is useful in a work full of so many short sayings.
With this translation, Ni has demonstrated a real respect and admiration for Confucius (as a philosopher, a spiritual leader, and a person) on his part. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in learning about Confucius, Confucianism, and the Analects.
Displaying 1 of 1 review