Very few people in the West have heard of Mencius. However, in East Asia he is known as "the second sage" of Confucianism -- second only to Confucius himself. The eponymous _Mencius_ is a collection of his sayings and dialogues with disciples, rulers, and rival philosophers. It is unfortunate that this work is not more widely read outside of Asia. It is more accessible than the often cryptic _Analects_ of Confucius. Furthermore, Mencius is arguably a deeper philosophical thinker than Confucius. Buy this book and you'll get a fine translation of a classic of world literature and philosophy.
Mencius is most famous for his claim that human nature is good. He illustrates this by asking us to imagine a person who suddenly sees a child about to fall into a well. Anyone, Mencius claims, would have a feeling of alarm and compassion at this sight. This feeling is a manifestation of our innate tendency toward benevolence. Mencius is aware that, despite having this innate tendency toward virtue, most people fail to act in a benevolent manner. But he claims that this is due to bad environmental factors, as well as a failure to cultivate one's "sprouts" of virtue. (Lau translates "sprout" as "germ," a minor infelicity.)
Lau's _Mencius_ is probably the best complete translation of this work in English. It also includes extensive supporting material: an interpretive introduction, a glossary, and appendices on events in the life of Mencius, early traditions about Mencius, the text of the _Mencius_, ancient history as understood by Mencius, and Mencius's method of argumentation.
James Legge also did a complete translation, _The Works of Mencius_, which is a little dated (it was completed in the late 19th century), but it is still a good translation, and includes the Chinese text, along with extensive notes. I did a partial translation of the _Mencius_ for _Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy_.
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Customers say
Customers find the book's content valuable, with one noting it serves as a great supplemental reader to Confucianism. The translation quality receives mixed feedback, with some finding it good while others disagree. The readability also gets mixed reviews, with one customer finding it easy to read.
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13 customers mention content, 11 positive, 2 negative
Introduction isn't very well written, but it is loaded with plenty of useful information....Read more
...I enjoyed Mencius. I felt it was worth while and gave me insight into Chinese thought....Read more
Book is a timeless classic and a cornerstone of Confucian thought. The seller however, leaves much to be desired....Read more
...his work is unquestionably part of the intellectual and philosophical legacy of Confucianism....Read more
9 customers mention translation quality, 5 positive, 4 negative
Great translation!Read more
With respect to the actual material, this translation was full of misspellings. The typing and basic spelling/punctuation was amateur at best....Read more
This book is well translated. It is clear and easy to read. The intro is pretty helpful too....Read more
...What I received is the completely bare James Legge translation, stripped and denuded of any and all of the considerable scholarship that Legge...Read more
5 customers mention readability, 3 positive, 2 negative
...He tells short tales with a moral. To that extent he is easier to understand. The same ideas appear with different emphasis in tales....Read more
great classic to have though it is not an easy read.Read more
This book is well translated. It is clear and easy to read. The intro is pretty helpful too....Read more
...It is unfortunate that this work is not more widely read outside of Asia. It is more accessible than the often cryptic _Analects_ of Confucius....Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2001
Top reviews from other countries
- John HarbordReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2013
intreguing perspective
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- JohannesReviewed in Germany on September 5, 2024
A joy of reading.
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Bernardo SutterReviewed in Germany on March 24, 2018
Exactly what you would expect
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase - prziloczekReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 25, 2014
Review of Mencius
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