spacestationtrustfund's review against another edition
2.0
陽虎曰：『為富不仁矣，為仁不富矣。』滕文公上。
《生，亦我所欲也；義，亦我所欲也，二者不可得兼，舍生而取義者也。》
tough_cookie's review
challenging
informative
slow-paced
3.5
Having read the Essential Analects of Confucius prior to Mencius, it was interesting to see how the two paralleled and diverged from one another. For me, Mencius is the political applications supplement to the Analects, as it recounts Mencius' travels trying to elucidate the feudal lords in China to the Way. As such, it reads less like a philosophical work and more like a hands-on guide for rulers; while many of the lessons can apply to the common man's daily life, a larger portion seem specifically tailored to positions of power.
All this aside, it's still an interesting (not to mention historically significant) read. Mencius only knew Confucius through his teachings, but his interpretations made such a huge impact on the diffusion of Confucianism, so it's important to understand why, as well as to compare their similarities and differences. Granted, one cannot fully grasp the influences of the time period on the doctrine or its historical impact simply by reading this one book, but it's certainly a start.
All this aside, it's still an interesting (not to mention historically significant) read. Mencius only knew Confucius through his teachings, but his interpretations made such a huge impact on the diffusion of Confucianism, so it's important to understand why, as well as to compare their similarities and differences. Granted, one cannot fully grasp the influences of the time period on the doctrine or its historical impact simply by reading this one book, but it's certainly a start.
naverhtrad's review
4.0
The Mencius, one of the Four Books of the neo-Confucian canon, has gotten a new English translation from three mainland Chinese authors. And as translations go, this one definitely has a strong leg up on the standard, free-to-read-online James Legge version with which I've had a love-hate relationship for a long time now.
On the one hand, I appreciate very much the fact that this is a trilingual (classical Chinese / vernacular modern Chinese / English) edition, and that really, really helps. Seriously - as far as study guides go, this is a truly indispensable tool. Also, the English is clear, concise and straightforward. Thankfully, Mencius no longer sounds like a prolix and stuffy Victorian (which is a good thing given that Mencius tends to hate long-windedness!).
There are only a few minor gripes with the English translation; most of these have to do with the usage of colloquialisms that are out of date, or constructions which, though grammatically correct, partially obscure a more commonsense reading. Already, though, this is a great feat of translation work, and I applaud Messrs. Zhao, Zhang and Zhou.
As for the Mencius itself, the text stands on its own quite well. The thought of Mencius contains a number of insights which, in application either to modern China or to a foreign reader, will come across as quite radical - the most basic of which is, that rulers should consider benevolent behaviour first, before any cost-benefit considerations or considerations of power. To the rulers of large states and small states, his advice is the same; and this volume shows clearly that he isn't afraid to step on toes or shock his listeners by giving blunt (and bluntly counter-intuitive) advice!
I would still recommend the Legge translation if accompanied by the original classical Chinese; personally I highly prefer this one, though.
On the one hand, I appreciate very much the fact that this is a trilingual (classical Chinese / vernacular modern Chinese / English) edition, and that really, really helps. Seriously - as far as study guides go, this is a truly indispensable tool. Also, the English is clear, concise and straightforward. Thankfully, Mencius no longer sounds like a prolix and stuffy Victorian (which is a good thing given that Mencius tends to hate long-windedness!).
There are only a few minor gripes with the English translation; most of these have to do with the usage of colloquialisms that are out of date, or constructions which, though grammatically correct, partially obscure a more commonsense reading. Already, though, this is a great feat of translation work, and I applaud Messrs. Zhao, Zhang and Zhou.
As for the Mencius itself, the text stands on its own quite well. The thought of Mencius contains a number of insights which, in application either to modern China or to a foreign reader, will come across as quite radical - the most basic of which is, that rulers should consider benevolent behaviour first, before any cost-benefit considerations or considerations of power. To the rulers of large states and small states, his advice is the same; and this volume shows clearly that he isn't afraid to step on toes or shock his listeners by giving blunt (and bluntly counter-intuitive) advice!
I would still recommend the Legge translation if accompanied by the original classical Chinese; personally I highly prefer this one, though.
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