Four Books Translation

Author: Zhao Dingxian
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-03-01
Features: With the sincerity and trust of Mr. Zhao Dingxian, the sample of The Four Books Translated was sent to me for reading. This summer in Shanghai, the continuous high temperatures made it extremely hot, during which time I was also hospitalized for surgery. Although I finished reading it in pieces, I was completely captivated from beginning to end. I am impressed by the author's dedication to this translation and congratulate him on his success. The author's aspiration to translate the Four Books was born in the late period of the Cultural Revolution when he participated in the revision of The Compendium of Chinese Encyclopedias. At that time, during the peak of the "criticizing Confucianism" movement, a young person did not follow the trend but instead developed an interest in traditional Chinese culture. This shows his ability for independent thinking. Over 30 years have passed, and the author devoted his heart and soul with perseverance, writing this comprehensive translation while balancing work and improving his cultural level. What could have driven him to do this? I believe it is the powerful charm and vitality of traditional Chinese culture. The Four Books collectively refer to the four Confucian classics: The Great Learning, The Doctrine of the Mean, The Analects, and Mencius, which embody the fundamental ideas of Confucian thought established by Confucius. How to translate these classical texts into modern language? Mr. Qian Zhongshu emphasized that reading should not just be "reading with the eyes" but also "reading with the spirit." This is very important. First, one must start with the original text to understand its meaning. Then, on this basis, one should grasp its essence and insights, penetrating its artistic conception. Furthermore, based on this foundation, the reader's subjective experience must be integrated to provide a fresh perspective. The Collected Annotations on the Four Books by the Southern Song Dynasty philosopher Zhu Xi is a representative example. Excerpt: The purpose of a scholar's studies lies in understanding nature, in purifying oneself and renewing, in achieving perfection. Perfection, and then one can set direction; with direction, then one can avoid chaos; without chaos, then one can fulfill one's role; fulfilling one's role, then one can contemplate success; contemplating success, then one can achieve perfection (Note: The first "perfection" refers to knowing perfection; the second refers to accomplishing perfection). All things have their roots and branches; all processes have their beginnings and endings. Understanding the context can bring one closer to the purpose. In ancient times, to understand the world, one must first govern the state; to govern the state, one must first regulate the family; to regulate the family, one must first cultivate oneself; to cultivate oneself, one must first rectify one's thoughts; to rectify one's thoughts, one must first be honest and truthful; to be honest and truthful, one must first understand perfection; to understand perfection, one must first have a correct understanding (Note: Honesty and truthfulness mean not deceiving oneself). With a correct understanding, one can then understand perfection; with understanding perfection, one can be honest and truthful; with honesty and truthfulness, one can rectify one's thoughts; with rectified thoughts, one can cultivate oneself consciously; with self-cultivation, one can regulate the family; with family regulation, one can govern the state; with state governance, one can achieve peace in the world. From the emperor to the common people, none are exceptions—self-cultivation is the foundation. To expect to govern the branches while neglecting the roots will inevitably lead to self-negation; to treat the thick as thin and the thin as thick is impossible to achieve perfection.