Xunzi: Chinese-English Parallel Text (Full 2 Volumes)

Author: Translator: Nobleock (USA) / et al.
Editor: Li Lin / et al.
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-01-01
Features: The Xunzi is a political treatise by Xun Kuang, a philosopher and educator of the late Warring States period. The book consists of 32 chapters, covering philosophy, ethics, politics, military strategy, and education. In this work, Xunzi critically summarizes the academic thoughts of the pre-Qin scholars. In philosophy, he developed ancient materialism, opposing beliefs in fate and supernatural beings. He rejected Mencius's theory of "innate goodness" and pioneered the theory of "innate evil," advocating the integration of rites and law, emphasizing both moral education and legal rewards and punishments. Beyond praising the ancient kings ("praising the former kings"), Xunzi also proposed the idea of "following the later kings," which differs from Confucius and Mencius. This English translation is a complete English translation of The Xunzi. Excerpt: Danger arises from stratagems, overthrow from intrigue, and ruin from hidden dangers. 16.2 There are three types of authority: moral authority, harsh surveillance authority, and reckless authority. These three authorities must be carefully examined. If rites and music are well-maintained, distinctions and righteousness are clear, actions are timely, and love and benefits are evident, the people will revere the ruler as the Son of Heaven, admire him as the sky, cherish him as parents, and fear him as deities. Thus, rewards need not be used to motivate the people, and punishments need not be used to enforce authority. This is called moral authority. If rites and music are not well-maintained, distinctions and righteousness are unclear, actions are untimely, and love and benefits are not evident, but the ruler is keen in suppressing violence, meticulous in punishing the disobedient, severe in penalties and faithful to them, and ruthless in executions—sudden as lightning strikes, like walls collapsing. In this case, the people will be terrified when oppressed, arrogant when relaxed, gather when confined, scatter when they get a chance, and switch sides when enemies attack. Without the ruler's authority or the terror of punishments, he cannot control his subjects. This is called harsh surveillance authority. Without a heart for loving the people or deeds for benefiting them, yet constantly following the path of chaos, if the people are in turmoil, the ruler then arrests and tortures them, failing to win their hearts. In this way, the subjects will band together, flee from the ruler, and the collapse and ruin can be expected at any moment. This is called reckless authority. These three authorities must be carefully examined. Moral authority achieves stability and strength, while harsh surveillance authority achieves danger and caution. He imposes penalties severely and faithfully, executes criminals ruthlessly and decisively—sudden as lightning strikes, like walls collapsing. In this case, the people will be terrified when oppressed, arrogant when relaxed, gather when confined, scatter when they get a chance, and switch sides when enemies attack. If the ruler does not use his authority or the terror of punishments to control them, he cannot govern his subjects. This is called harsh surveillance authority. Without a heart for loving the people or deeds for benefiting them, yet constantly following the path of chaos, if the people are in turmoil, the ruler then arrests and tortures them, failing to win their hearts. In this way, the subjects will band together, flee from the ruler, and the collapse and ruin can be expected at any moment. This is called reckless authority.