Great Masterpieces of China · On Enjoyment by All

Author: Zhu Ziqing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: "The Great and the Small," a playful name. This term "the great" encompasses two meanings: First, the author of the book is a renowned figure; second, the book is written for everyone, serving as a read for all. The term "small book" merely refers to its length—its pages are relatively few. However, in terms of academic depth, it is not light; some of them are quite substantial. In reality, the size of a book is also relative. A book with 100,000 words might seem small in today's printing conditions, but in the era of Laozi and Confucius, would it still be considered small?
There is a purpose behind compiling this series: to save readers' time, allowing them to gain more knowledge in a shorter period. In the age of information overload, there is too much to learn. Supplementary reading has become a frequent necessity. If one is not skilled at it, grabbing a little here and a little there—patching up this today and that tomorrow—may not yield the best results. If reading is treated like taking medicine, one might also lose the () and joy that should come with it. Each book in this series is concise, so even if readers read it carefully and savor it slowly, it won’t take much time, allowing them to fully enjoy the pleasure of reading. If they choose to treat it like medicine, it’s small in dose, easy to take, and easy to digest.
We also have another intention: to contribute to cultural preservation. We gather works that have stood the test of time and are recognized by readers, ensuring they are not lost to history. Some books were once bestsellers but are now hard to find; others may not have garnered much attention at the time but have proven their value over the years. Both types of books need to be rediscovered and brought back into the light. Books on science and technology are more practical—once outdated, they attract few readers, used primarily by those studying the history of science and technology. In contrast, the humanities are different; many books remain fresh and relevant with repeated readings.
However, this series is not entirely republished old books. We also want to invite renowned scholars to write new small books that combine academic rigor with accessibility, to meet the growing demands of readers. The format of "The Great and the Small" is compact, small enough to fit in a pocket, allowing readers to pull it out and read a few pages anytime, anywhere—while waiting by the roadside, queuing for tickets, traveling, or lounging in the park. With more readers engaging in such activities, society will be enriched with a touch of culture and a spirit of learning. Wouldn’t that be a good thing?