Reviews (13)

No fault with the original text, just the translation.
In contrast with some of the free translations found online, this book's translation was somewhat odd. Certain Chinese words cannot be translated into English, or have different meanings depending on how you read it. Thus certain sentences could be translated differently. The free online translations acknowledged this problem and provided explanations to why such a word or a sentence was translated; this is missing in this book. As an example, the book uses the phrase "the nobler type of a man", while other translations refer to the concept of "nobler" as the "Tao". The other translations provide justifications for the translation, while this book does not.
The Layman's Review
Before purchasing this book, one needs to ask themselves why they want it. If you are purchasing this book to perform a comparitive review on the contextual issues involved with the translation of ancient Chinese for the modern scholar, you will likely be disappointed.
confusing reviews
None of these reviews relate to the Slingerland edition of Analects, which is the best around. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Confucianism    2. Eastern - General    3. Ethics, Chinese    4. Philosophy    5. Philosophy, Chinese    6. Oriental & Indian philosophy    7. Religion / Confucianism   

Reviews (51)

Every Woman can gain some insight
I read all the reviews and still bought the book. I found it charming and a reminder of how important it is to dress our best. We as a society have really gone too far with Pajamas and slippers worn to the grocery store and flip flops accepted at the White House. How we dress really does affect how strangers see us and a first impression can never be made a second time. I just took what the author was trying to say and applied it to my life. I may not agree with everything exactly, but I did learn from it.

In appreciation of Genevieve Antoine Dariaux
I love this book. Conservative (some would say dated), it is full of timeless, classic advice - especially for the working wardrobe.
Helpful but dated
Follow all the rules in this book and you will be the most elegant women of your day -- if your day was the 1950s.Advice like an elegant woman never wears black in the morning just doesn't fit the needs of a professional urban woman (like me) who has several black suits in her closet.And this book isn;t trying to help you develop an interesting flair of your own -- this book's goal is to give you the rules to follow to be conservatively tasteful in all occasions.Still, it's helpful to know what the most absolutely proper thing to wear is, if only to decide how far from absolutely proper you want to veer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    2. Confucianism    3. Consumer Health    4. Fashion    5. Personal & Practical Guides    6. Reference    7. Women's clothing    8. Reference / Etiquette   

Subjects:  1. Confucianism    2. Eastern - General    3. History    4. Philosophy    5. Philosophy, Chinese    6. Religion    7. Asian and Asian American Studies    8. Home furnishing & decoration    9. Oriental & Indian philosophy    10. Religion / Confucianism   

Reviews (4)

"A proper man is inclusive, not sectary."
THE ANALECTS OF CONFUCIUS.Translated and annotated by Arthur Waley. 257 pp.New York : Vintage Books, nd.Originally published byGeorge, Allen, & Unwin, 1938. The first stop on the Way
Perhaps the best introduction to the Confucian philosophy. Extensive footnotes and explanations of key concepts. Language slightly archaic but still clear. Wade-Giles romanization.

A classic
A classic in Chinese literature. Arthur Waley is the best translator ofChinese works that I have found. This version of the Analects areextensively footnoted which I found broke up the flow of the reading. So Iread it through first without the footnotes, then read it again with them.A interesting look at Chinese thought at the time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chinese Philosophy    2. Confucianism    3. Eastern - General    4. Philosophy    5. Religion / Confucianism   

Reviews (5)

Christmas Gift as We Enter the New Millennium
As the 20th century comes to an end, both scientific achievements and material abundance have reached record-high levels.But, avariance and emptiness in humans and cruelties and coarseness in the society have alsoproduced violences rarely seen in history.The best-selling books in rcentyears in the United States, in Taiwan, and in Hongkong are mainly onself-encouragement and self-improvement, reflecting the thirst forspiritual and emotional guidance by people in search of direction.Forthis Christmas, would you be willing to buy, for your US-raised childrenand grandchildren, for your fellow first-generation-immigrant friends andrelatives, or even for yourself, a classical book that embodies the wisdomof life as a gift as we enter the beautiful new millennium? Christmas Gift as We Enter the New Millennium
As the 20th century comes to an end, both scientific achievements and material abundance have reached record-high levels.But, avariance and emptiness in humans and cruelties and coarseness in the society have alsoproduced violences rarely seen in history.The best-selling books in rcentyears in the United States, in Taiwan, and in Hongkong are mainly onself-encouragement and self-improvement, reflecting the thirst forspiritual and emotional guidance by people in search of direction.Forthis Christmas, would you be willing to buy, for your US-raised childrenand grandchildren, for your fellow first-generation-immigrant friends andrelatives, or even for yourself, a classical book that embodies the wisdomof life as a gift as we enter the beautiful new millennium? Excellent work
Li's translation on various passages are really wonderful -- truly reflecting the traditional culture of Chinese under "Confucism" -- "li" (Conduct). In fa (Law, Legal) society (most in U.S. andcontemporary transitional Taiwan}, individualities are based on legalisticconditions/situations.Personal morality and values under "li"are frequently questioned. Li's book may serve a bridge for AmericanChinese to discuss the disparities between "li" and"fa". Parents/teachers may use Li's book as the means foreducational purposes.Good -- excellent work.Read more

Subjects:  1. Confucianism    2. General    3. Religion - World Religions    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Literature    7. Philosophy   

Reviews (20)

This really is the definitive translation
Addressing one of the reviewers who says that people love this book just because he is a non-Westerner -- that is not the case with this book. The author, Alfred Huang, is clearly able to bridge the Chinese *culture* with that of the Western culture, which is essential if you're going to use this book for advice and get anything meaningful out of it.
hook, line, and sinker
Everyone here seems to have bought the line that the author and publisher are selling them -- that this is somehow a "definitive" translation, simply because the author isn't a Westerner.This is a blatant appeal to authority fallacy if I ever heard one.The fact is that being an Asian and a Taoist master doesn't make one a good translator, and this good is proof of that.Frankly, it is riddled with errors.For an example of a review by someone who REALLY knows what they are talking about, see:
The best translation I've found yet
I have been a student of the I Ching for 5 years now, and in that time I've seen good translations and bad translations.This is, without a doubt, the best I've found yet, and I doubt I'll ever find one better than this.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Confucianism    2. Eastern - General    3. I Ching    4. Philosophy    5. Religion    6. Body, Mind & Spirit / I Ching    7. Fortune-telling & divination    8. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    9. Popular psychology   

Reviews (9)

Start Here
Just getting started on your desire to understand eastern philosophies?Have you stood at the bookstore for hours pouring over where to start and what to buy? Helps keep things straight
One of the best things about this book is it puts a face on Confucius and, more importantly, his disciples. It's difficult to read The Analects (which this book uses a few sayings from) and keep straight who's who; this book helps a lot. The last section with a brief bio on a few of the disciples is fantastic. I can find no other source to compare to this. Now when I read The Analect I see the faces from this book when different people are mentioned. My only complaint is that different translations of Confucius' work seem to use slightly different names then those used in this book. It can be a bit confusing when this book is the first one you read, but I would still HIGHLY recommend it.

A Great Introduction to Confucianism!
The Cartoon Chinese Philosophy books of this series interest me for tworeasons: I like Chinese History and I have to teach it to high schoolkids.Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - Zen    2. Cartoons and caricatures    3. Chinese Philosophy    4. Comic books, strips, etc    5. Confucianism    6. Confucius    7. Eastern - Zen    8. General    9. Mysticism    10. Philosophy    11. China    12. Religion / Confucianism    13. Caricatures and Cartoons    14. Illustrations   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    2. Confucianism    3. Encyclopedias    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Reference    6. Religion - Eastern    7. Religion - General    8. Religion - World Religions   

Subjects:  1. 1501-1570    2. Asia - General    3. Asian And Oriental Religions    4. Confucianism    5. Eastern - General    6. Korea    7. Neo-Confucianism    8. Philosophy    9. Religion    10. Songhak sipto    11. Yi, Hwang,    12. Philosophy / Eastern    13. Yi, Hwang   

Reviews (3)

911 Crisis Help
H. Norman Wright's "The New Guide to Crisis and Trauma Counseling" has thoroughly revised his previous work. As usual, Wright blends solid research, biblical principles, and practical applications. This work is especially pertinent in our 9-1-1 society. Professional counselors, pastors, and lay spiritual friends will all find relevant help for their personal ministry.
Excellent Material
I found this book to be very informative. Though not an exhaustive treatment of crisis cases the coverage is adequate and the author is easy to read and understand. Gives you a basic understanding and points you in a scriptural direction for helping those involved in crises.

The New Guide to Crisis & Trauma Counseling
This is one of the best counseling books I have read.It has helped me view crisis and trauma from a different perspective.I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Pastoral Counseling    2. Confucianism    3. Counseling    4. Crisis intervention (Mental he    5. Crisis intervention (Mental health services)    6. Pastoral counseling    7. Psychic trauma    8. Religion    9. Religion - Pastoral Care / Counseling    10. Treatment    11. Christian ministry & pastoral activity   

Subjects:  1. 1098-1179    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Christianity - History - Catholic    4. Confucianism    5. Germany    6. Hildegard,    7. Intellectual life    8. Medieval    9. Mysticism    10. Religion    11. Religion - Classic Works    12. Religion - Roman Catholic    13. Saint,    14. To 1500    15. Biography: general    16. Christian theology    17. Religion / General    18. Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church    19. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Reviews (1)

Fascinating Book w/ Lots of Information
When I purchased this book, I knew very little regarding the I Ching, the process and meaning(s) behind it.After reading the book I have learned a great deal of information.It's a book that anyone wanting to understand the I Ching should have in their collection.I also purchased I Ching Workbook by R.L. Wing along with this book which was extremely helpful.I took them both with me on a vacation I went on with my friend and we had a wonderful time with it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Confucianism    3. I Ching    4. New Age    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Yi jing    7. Asian and Asian American Studies    8. Body, Mind & Spirit / I Ching    9. Mind, Body, Spirit    10. Philosophy   

Subjects:  1. Confucianism    2. Neo-Confucianism    3. Philosophy, Chinese    4. Religion    5. Religion - Socialissues    6. 20th century    7. China    8. History of ideas, intellectual history    9. Oriental & Indian philosophy    10. Philosophy of religion    11. Religion / Confucianism   

Reviews (4)

A thoughtful book worth reading
I very much enjoyed the originality of this book. I don't agree with the author's major premise regarding the interpretation of one of the analects, but I found the originality refreshing. This should not be your first book on Confucius.But once you are comfortable in having some understanding of his teachings, at least enough understanding to recognize when Fingarette departs from orthodox interpretations, then you will greatly enjoy this book.I think it is a "must read" for serious students! If you are interested in a practical view of Confucianism, I recommend the book by Robert Canright: "Achieve Lasting Happiness, Timeless Secrets to Transform Your Life."

Problematic but still essential reading.
This book is essential reading for anyone seriously interested in Confucius, Confucianism, or early Chinese thought in general.It is quite convincing on some points, but also very problematic on others. Flawed by misunderstanding
While thought provoking, Fingarette often misses the nuances of meaning in the text of the _Analects_, which limits the accuracy of his understanding.Further, Fingarette underestimates the difficulties inherent in dealing with a text which clearly is the work of many hands over a longer period oftime, not a treatise in the western sense.This book is worth reading, butmust be approached with great skepticism. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Confucianism    2. Education    3. Philosophy / Eastern    4. Reference    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Religion / Confucianism    7. China    8. Chinese Philosophy    9. Confucius    10. Confucius and Confucianism    11. Eastern    12. Philosophers    13. Religion   

Reviews (3)

A monument when it first appeared, but no longer
This book represents at least as great an accomplishment for the translator, Derk Bodde, as it does for the author, Fung Yu-lan, because Bodde rendered into English not only Fung's text in modern Chinese, but also countless passages in classical Chinese that Fung used to illustrate his points.For a generation, this was the foremost, if not the only, guide to Chinese philosophy in the English language. An influential but now outdated work.
This book is one of a two-volume set.This volume covers ancient Chinese philosophy up to 100 B.C. (i.e., the period of Confucius, Lao Tzu, and others).Volume two covers later Chinese philosophy.Fung Yu-lan wrote the original work in Chinese.Derk Bodde, a noted Sinologist in his own right, did an excellent job of translating the work into English.(This was no small feat, since Fung quotes from a variety of works from over two thousand years of Chinese history -- works often written in quite different styles of Classical Chinese.) History of Chinese Philosophy at its best
This book comes in two volumes, volume one writes about the history of Chinese philosophy from antiquity to before the Han period while the second volume deals with Han learning onwards to Prof. Fung's time, i.e. early20th century.Read more

Subjects:  1. Confucianism    2. Eastern - General    3. History    4. Philosophy    5. Philosophy, Chinese    6. Asian and Asian American Studies    7. Oriental & Indian philosophy    8. Religion    9. Religion / Confucianism   

Reviews (2)

a fine, thorough introduction
Yao's introduction to Confucianism may be unbeatable.
an excellent text book for Confucian studies
It is not a small achievement to introduce the Confucian tradition of 2500 years and of multi-facets. The author has done this brilliantly. I believe that the book will be of help to those who are not familiar to Confucianismas well as to those who have started their studies in the area of Chinesereligion, philosophy and history. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. Confucianism    3. Eastern - General    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Oriental & Indian philosophy    7. Oriental religions    8. Religion / Buddhism   

Editorial Review

This collection of inspiring credos by William Sloane Coffin melds Christian spirit with social justice. Coffin's credentials are impressive--he served as chaplain of Yale University and Williams College, and he is the inspiration for the character Rev. Sloan in the Read more

Reviews (14)

A Genuine 20th Century Prophet
William Sloane Coffin is the real deal.He calls for social justice, not despite religious faith, but due to it.His message is rare because it has become fresher and more relvant as time goes on.He is warm, witty and insigtful and this is a good omnibus of his lifes thoughts."Letters to a Young Doubter" is another fine book.And to those that accuse him of relativism; that is precisely false.He absolutely and with conviction speaks truth to power and represents the Lord with integrity.

Say what?
I have to say I don't really get it.I picked up a book expecting just that, a "Credo," which is a statement of faith and belief of some kind.But this could not be further from it.W.S. Coffin doesn't believe in anything.He seems to think that pulpit witticisms constitute doctrine.I can't get a real feel for anything he believes theologically.Instead, he's substituted tepid politics for church talk.If I wanted this, I would read a book by William Clinton instead of William Coffin, and it would probably say the same things.

Why Try?
Coffin's collection of (somewhat scattered) thoughts seems to boil down to the basic idea that the world would be a better place if people were gracious to each other.However, one wonders, if God is such a small part of the picture all along, what is the reason why people ought to be gracious?He seems to pull the carpet out from under his own feet.Why should people honor one another if God is just a farce that we have put on to soothe our consciences? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - Social Issues    2. Christianity - Theology - General    3. Confucianism    4. Inspirational - General    5. Philosophy    6. Religion    7. Religion - Theology    8. Christian theology   

Subjects:  1. 1472-1529    2. Confucian ethics    3. Confucianism    4. Contributions in Confucius eth    5. Ethics    6. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    7. Mencius    8. Philosophy    9. Wang, Yangming,    10. Oriental & Indian philosophy   

Reviews (7)

Servant Leadership Chinese Style!
The importance of the historical use and misuse of the teaching of Confucius throughout the centuries in China can hardly be understated. While Confucian thought was on the outs with Communist intellectuals, others such as Lee Kwan Yew of Singapore point to Confucius' principles as the secret to the Asian economic tigers' success. Leys, the translator of this volume, notes that Chinese familiarity and historical misuse of Confucius prejudices many, but taken without these prejudices, Confucius is thoroughly modern in his application today.
Turned off by translator's comments
I can't read Confucius in the original so I really can't speak to the accuracy of Simon Leys' translation (or should we use his actual name - Pierre Ryckmans?). But without a doubt he feels it is the standard against which all others should be measured, as he constantly passes judgment in his Notes section on all who have gone before and finds each generally lacking in some way. Add to that his efforts to impress the reader with the breadth of his literary knowledge and his decidedly conservative social comments (another reviewer also commented on his anti-gay bias) and I'm left with a translation I would just as soon skip.

Completely unprofessional translation
One of only two things I've ever went to the trouble to return to Amazon.com.I bought this translation because it was recommended in "Confucius Lives Next Door".Unfortunately, Mr. "Leys" goes out of his way to be homophobic in his footnotes.I've heard a lot of adjectives used to describe minority groups in my lifetime, especially since I live in the Midwest but "grim" is a new one (page 126).I am surprised that such a progressive company such as Amazon sells a book that incites such negativity about a minority group.Can anyone recommend a professional translation? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Confucianism    2. Literature - Classics / Criticism    3. Literature: Classics    4. Religion    5. Non-Western philosophy    6. Other prose: classical, early & medieval   

Editorial Review

Cleary presents the core teachings of the great Chinese philosopher, educator, and social critic in a convenient, easy-to-read format. Sayings from Confucius's Read more

Reviews (5)

Not just fortune cookie wisdom...
In his book on 'The Essential Tao', Thomas Cleary presented a wonderful picture of one of the dominant strands of Asian wisdom, one that has intrigued and fascinated people in the West in the past few generations. Cleary is one of the foremost scholars of ancient Chinese and Japanese. Mostly likely, if you have read a copy of ancient Chinese classic 'The Art of War' (a text widely popular, from historians and military strategists to corporate raiders and managers), it has been one of Cleary's translations. Find another book withe analects of Confuscius
This book does not have the complete set of analects, and what's worse; the author selected analects that seem to match the 64 trograms of the I ching. The Timeless wisdom of Confucius
Few ancient philosophical teachings are powerful enough to escape obsoleteness and retain the power that they had when they were first taught. Confuciusicianism's didactic philosophy is one of these true classics. The timeless quality of its teachings is made accessible for the English reader in the book The Essential Confucius arranged and translated by Thomas Cleary. Cleary has arranged by topic, Confucian aphorisms from the Book of Change and Confucius's Analects to enhance the readers understanding of Confucius's philosophy as a whole. Through Cleary's lucid translations and his skillful weaving of the two different texts of Confuciusianism the reader is able to heuristically grasp that the purpose and means by which Confucius wished to ameliorate society.