Mencius In Modern Perspectives: In English and Traditional Chinese

[Mencius in Modern Perspectives] is the long-awaited contemporary and comprehensive rendition of this all-time Confucian classic, authored by Raymond Li, a respected educator in Confucianism. It begins with a 40-page [Introduction] which serves the dual-purpose as biography of Mencius as well as chronologic summary of the chapters as they trailed the itinerant philosopher’s trek across the country. This is followed by [Highlights], a glossary of the 50 vocabulary most often mentioned in discussions on morals and ethics. In each of the ensuing [14 Chapters], the original text is given an English translation which closely conformed to the letter and spirit of the original text. In the [Annotation] section, the foregoing discussions are analyzed and correlated with actual events in history. The author’s personal reflections are given under [Commentary]. In the final section titled [Modern Perspectives], the implications and applications of Mencius’ teaching as they relate to our modern society are discussed. For readers who are proficient in Chinese, every chapter is complemented by the original text in classical Chinese. Here, a choice of [Traditional or Simplified Chinese Characters] is available. Others may read the author’s translation in the [English-only edition], which faithfully preserves the flavors and nuances of the original text. Finally, to satiate the appetite of those who desire to finish with a dessert, a biography of Mencius’ 12 most celebrated students is appended in [Endnotes].In as much as I have read on the subject of Mencius, this is by far the most complete, contemporary and comprehensive narrative I have come across. Not only is its author a heavyweight in Confucianism, the book itself is a heavyweight too, counting 750 pages in all. For embodying all the above values and virtues, this book should command a higher price, but as the author himself disclosed in his interview with Sing Tao Daily News, monetary gain is not his primary objective. His mission is imbuing a greater audience with the legacy of Mencius, and up-dating them with contemporary perspectives, applicable to everyday life. I salute his torch-bearing cause.