Plain Language Edition of Youxue Qionglin: A Classic Reading of Traditional Chinese Culture

Author: (Ming) Cheng Dengji, translated by Wang Liya
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-08-01
Features: The splendid Chinese civilization, with a long history, has two sources: the Yangtze River and the Yellow River. The ancient Chinese literature, in its long process of transmission, also has two branches. One is Confucian classics represented by the Four Books and Five Classics, starting with Confucius and followed by Mencius, Dong Zhongshu, Zhu Xi, and others, forming a grand spectacle. Moreover, due to the promotion by rulers of various dynasties through the imperial examination system, it has been widely valued by all social strata. Confucian scholars have been unbroken, and Confucian works are abundant. The other is enlightenment reading, which was not valued by scholars but was passed down orally and read by common people. However, due to its vast readership, it also has a significant impact, though this influence is often overlooked. The popularity of Youxue Qionglin is inseparable from its well-organized arrangement. The first feature of this book is its comprehensive content; the second is its concise and clear language; the third is its popular and practical nature. To help readers better understand this book, we have provided a full translation of the Youxue Qionglin originally compiled by Cheng Dengji and supplemented by Zou Shengmai, aiming to make it accessible to those with lower educational backgrounds. If this Colloquial Youxue Qionglin can play a role in popularizing traditional culture, it will be a source of great satisfaction.