The Book of Chuang Tzu

by Zhuangzi

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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"The Book of Chuang Tzu" is an ancient and important Chinese spiritual text dating from the 4th century BC. Together with the "Tao Te Ching", "The Book of Chuang Tzu" is an important foundational text for the Taoist philosophy. Notable for its stark difference with the Chinese philosophy of Confucius, Taoism does not encourage one to live a strict life according to a rigid set of principles, but rather values following a more flexible path that can adapt to the irregular rhythms of life, or the "way". Scholars believe that some of "The Book of Chuang Tzu" was, written by Chuang Tzu himself, a minor official, during the Warring States period of Chinese history who attracted national attention with his brilliant prose and poetry. Chuang Tzu's work has withstood the test of time with its humorous and clever anecdotes, its lyrical and poetic observations of the natural world, and its startlingly wise insight into human nature. With an emphasis on living a less human-focused life that is more, in tune with nature, "The Book of Chuang Tzu" had a profound influence on the development of Zen Buddhism and continues to be a source of guidance and wisdom to countless readers the world over. This edition follows the translation of Herbert A. Giles.… (more)

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A lot of fun to read and looking forward to reading more. Nothing conveys a philosophy better than laying out the supposed world it speaks to than through a series of poems, stories, discourses and expositions. Initially grabbed this due to a quote in Feyerabend's Discourses and reading it in context made it all the more interesting and enlightening, so I'll complete this short comment with the same (though many others were tempting, you just can't beat this concision):

> The Emporer of the South Sea is known as Change. The Emperor of the North Sea is called Dramatic. The Emperor of the Centre is called Chaos. Change and Dramatic met every so often in the region of Chaos. Chaos always treated them kindly and virtuously. Change and Dramatic said, "Everyone has seven orifices so they can see, hear, eat and breathe. Chaos does not have these. Let us bore some holes into him." Each day they bored a hole into Chaos…, but on the seventh day Chaos died.

So many potential goodies packed into one story told in one paragraph. (

)

mitchanderson | Jan 17, 2021 |

Chuang Tzu, rightly called "Genius of the Absurd" is unquestionably the father of a new type of a philosophy and satire united in a complementary union. Unknown to the West until the nineteen century
he must be regarded, in part, as an ancient predecessor of our modern western philosophical-satirical literature ... there are also many brilliant flashes of philosophical insight.

PSZC | Mar 20, 2019 |

Sigh, another work of philosophy that I just couldn't finish. Perhaps I am a victim of Western linear thinking, but endless anecdotes that don't make any sense just make me run out of steam. Add to that the footnotes which make it clear that much of the translation is educated guesswork and I wonder what the point is.

ritaer | Jun 28, 2017 |

By the founder of Taoism; anti-Confucian; need more research on translation.

AlCracka | Apr 2, 2013 |

I'm a budding biologist taking a pit stop in my course work to enjoy some eastern philosophy. I found the Tao Te Ching to be too detached and esoteric from the every day. The Chuang Tzu seems to be a cure. Involving anthropomorphic creatures and humorous personages belonging to cicadas and doves as well as humans. Its refreshing and enjoyable. The common sense employed by Chuang Cho is sharp and cuts to the bone. (

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dullchimes | Oct 23, 2008 |

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▾Other authors

» Add other authors (79 possible)

Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Zhuangzi	Author	primary author	all editions	confirmed
Beijer, Suzan	Cover designer	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
De Bary, Wm. Theodore	Foreword	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Legge, James	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Palmer, Martin	—	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Pinkse, Sander	Designer	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Schipper, Kristofer	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Waltham, Clae	Editor	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Watson, Burton	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Zhou Dongqing	Cover artist	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

▾Series and work relationships

Belongs to Publisher Series

BUR: Classici [Rizzoli]

Mandala Books

Penguin Classics

Records of Civilization: Sources and Studies (80)

Translations from the Asian Classics

Translations from the Oriental Classics

Is contained in

The Sacred books of China: The texts of Taoism by James Legge

Contains

Chuang Tzu: Basic Writings by Zhuangzi

Chuang Tsu: Inner Chapters, A Companion Volume to Tao Te Ching (audio) by Zhuangzi

Has the adaptation

Zhuangzi Speaks: The Music of Nature by Chih-Chung Tsai

▾Awards and Honors

Awards

National Book Award (Finalist – Translation – 1969)

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Canonical title

The Book of Chuang Tzu

Original title

南華經

The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu

Alternative titles

Original publication date

1968 (English translation ∙ B. Watson)

2007 (Nederlandse vertaling / K. Schipper)

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Dedication

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▾Book descriptions

"The Book of Chuang Tzu" is an ancient and important Chinese spiritual text dating from the 4th century BC. Together with the "Tao Te Ching", "The Book of Chuang Tzu" is an important foundational text for the Taoist philosophy. Notable for its stark difference with the Chinese philosophy of Confucius, Taoism does not encourage one to live a strict life according to a rigid set of principles, but rather values following a more flexible path that can adapt to the irregular rhythms of life, or the "way". Scholars believe that some of "The Book of Chuang Tzu" was, written by Chuang Tzu himself, a minor official, during the Warring States period of Chinese history who attracted national attention with his brilliant prose and poetry. Chuang Tzu's work has withstood the test of time with its humorous and clever anecdotes, its lyrical and poetic observations of the natural world, and its startlingly wise insight into human nature. With an emphasis on living a less human-focused life that is more, in tune with nature, "The Book of Chuang Tzu" had a profound influence on the development of Zen Buddhism and continues to be a source of guidance and wisdom to countless readers the world over. This edition follows the translation of Herbert A. Giles.

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