Chinese Classical Novel Translation and Annotation Series (First Series) -- Mozi

Author: Shi Ming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: Mozi, named Zhi, was a native of Lu (or said to be Song). He once served in the state of Song as a minister and traveled to various feudal states, spreading his doctrines. The Huainanzi·Yaolue states: "Mozi studied the teachings of Confucian scholars and received the doctrines of Confucius." This shows that Mozi had Confucian origins, but later, in terms of theoretical thought, he stood in opposition to Confucianism and established the Mohist school of thought. The Mohist school's doctrines are comprehensively reflected in the book Mozi. This book was compiled by Mozi's disciples based on his speeches. The Book of Han·Bibliography records that the Mozi originally had seventy-one chapters, but only fifty-three are preserved today. Based on content, it can be roughly divided into five categories. The era in which Mozi lived was marked by the rise of numerous warlords and the flourishing of the Hundred Schools of Thought, with the common people suffering greatly from war and chaos, yearning for a stable and peaceful living environment. Mozi, standing on the side of the common people, advocated for the protection of the survival of the people and weaker states, proposing the principles of "universal love" and "non-aggression." The content of this book is extremely broad, covering politics, military strategy, and other fields that stood in opposition to the dominant schools of thought of the time.
This book selects the essence of the Mozi, providing necessary commentary and discussion to help contemporary readers understand the profound wisdom of Mozi in various aspects, and to jointly inherit and promote this valuable cultural heritage created by our ancestors.