Wengu - Chinese Classics

溫故知新 Wengu zhixin

詩經 Shi Jing – The Book of Odes

The oldest collection of Chinese poetry, more than three hundred songs, odes and hymns. Tr. Legge (en) and Granet (fr, incomplete).

論語 Lun Yu – The Analects of Confucius

The Master discusses with his disciples and unveil his preoccupations with society. Tr. Legge (en), Lau (en) and Couvreur (fr).

大學 Daxue – The Great Learning

Confucean thought summarized for the Prince. Tr. Legge (en), Pauthier (fr), Bog (fr).

中庸 Zhongyong – The Doctrine of the Mean

Confucius' grandson comments about the Way and human nature. Tr. Legge (en)

三字經 San Zi Jing – The Three-Character Classic

A textbook helpfull to start learning Classic Chinese. Tr. Giles (en) and Deverge (fr).

易經 Yi Jing – I Ching, the Book of Changes

This famous system of 64 hexagrams plus their commentaries and transformations is at the root of Chinese thought. Tr. Wilhelm (en, fr).

道德經 Dao De Jing – The Way and Its Power

The naturalist, individualist and politic doctrine of Lao-tse exhibited in 81 poetic and obscure texts. Tr. Waley (en), Lau (en), Julien (fr) and Wilhelm (de).

唐詩 Tang Shi – 300 Tang poems

An anthology of 320 poems. Discover Chinese poetry in its golden age and some of the greatest Chinese poets. Tr. by Bynner (en).

孫子兵法 Sun Zi – The Art of War

Chinese strategy explained : know yourself and the ennemy, use deception, spies, and "win with ease". Tr. Giles (en, annotated) and Amiot (fr).

三十六計 36 Ji – Thirty-Six Strategies

A recently uncovered notebook of 36 proverbs commented as military tactics that helps dealing with conflicts. Tr. Verstappen (en), Doc Mac Jr (fr).

Random samples

I take counsel at the beginning of my [rule], / How I can follow [the example] of my shrined father. / Ah ! [...] Cf. Shijing 287	The Master said, "The superior man wishes to be slow in his speech and earnest in his conduct." [...] Cf. Lunyu 90	I / Increase / Wind and thunder: the image of INCREASE. Thus the superior man: If he sees good, he imitates it; If he [...] Cf. Yijing 42
Favour and disgrace goad as it were to madness; high rank hurts keenly as our bodies hurt.” / / What does it mean to [...] Cf. Daodejing 13	Though a country be sundered, hills and rivers endure; / And spring comes green again to trees and grasses / [...] Cf. Tangshi 106	Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you [...] Cf. Sunzi 40

Foreword

In these pages it's possible to read the Analects of Confucius (Lunyu), The Way and its Power (Daode Jing) attributed to Lao-tse and some other wisdom or poetry texts in Chinese with English and French translations. Any Chinese characters are linked to dictionaries. Your browser must display Chinese.

Why read Confucius, Lao-tse or the Book of Changes? Well, these Chinese classics have had a major influence on the oldest civilization still in existence on the face of this planet; that should be enough. If not, please consider that China, mostly as a distant mirror where hopes and fears are reflected, has exercised a profound impact on the thinking patterns of Western civilisations, and will. This article in the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy explains things better.

溫 故 知 新 Wengu zhixin

Random samples

Foreword

溫故知新 Wengu zhixin