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

Author: Zhang Jujin translated, [USA] Noble Rock translated
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: The Xunzi is a political treatise collection by Xun Kuang, a thinker 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 the superstitions of fate and gods; he rejected Mencius's "theory of innate goodness" and pioneered the "theory of innate evil," advocating the integration of ritual, law, moral education, and legal punishments. Unlike Confucius and Mencius, he also proposed the theory of "imitating the later kings" in addition to "honoring the former kings." This Xunzi translation is a complete English version of the text. 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 must be carefully examined. Ritual and music are well-maintained, distinctions and righteousness are clear, actions are timely, and love and benefits are evident. Thus, the people honor him as the emperor, revere him as heaven, cherish him as parents, and fear him as deities. Rewards are not needed, yet the people are motivated; punishments are not needed, yet authority prevails. This is called moral authority. Ritual and music are not well-maintained, distinctions and righteousness are unclear, actions are untimely, and love and benefits are not evident. However, his suppression of violence is meticulous, his punishment of the disobedient is thorough, his punishments are severe and trustworthy, and his executions are fierce and decisive. He strikes them suddenly like lightning, or crushes them like walls collapsing. Thus, the people are terrified when oppressed, disdainful when relaxed, gather when confined, and scatter when they find an opportunity. In battle, they switch sides. Without using power or punishment, he cannot control his subordinates. This is called harsh surveillance authority. Without a heart for loving the people or deeds for benefiting them, yet he daily engages in disruptive ways, the people are in rebellion. He then arrests and tortures them, failing to reconcile their hearts. Thus, the people band together, flee from their ruler, and his downfall is imminent. This is called reckless authority. These three authorities must be carefully examined. Moral authority achieves stability and strength; harsh surveillance authority achieves perilous scrutiny. He imposes severe punishments with trustworthiness and executes with rigor and decisiveness, striking them suddenly like lightning or crushing them like walls collapsing. Thus, the people are terrified when oppressed, disdainful when relaxed, gather when confined, and scatter when they find an opportunity. In battle, they switch sides. Without using power or punishment, he cannot control his subordinates. This is called harsh surveillance authority. Without a heart for loving the people or deeds for benefiting them, yet he daily engages in disruptive ways, the people are in rebellion. He then arrests and tortures them, failing to reconcile their hearts. Thus, the people band together, flee from their ruler, and his downfall is imminent. This is called reckless authority.