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Zhuangzi: The Essential Writings: With Selections from Traditional Commentaries
Ideal for students and scholars alike, this edition of Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu) includes the complete Inner Chapters, extensive selections from the Outer and Miscellaneous Chapters, and judicious selections from two thousand years of traditional Chinese commentaries, which provide the reader access to the text as well as to its reception and interpretation. A glossary, brief biographies of the commentators, a bibliography, and an index are also included.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 351
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About the author
Zhuangzi
142?books457?followersׯ×Ó or Çf×Ó Zh¨±angzi (c. 369 BC - c. 286 BC).
Zhuangzi, or ¡°Master Zhuang¡± (also known in the Wade-Giles romanization as Chuang-tzu) was, after Laozi, one of the earliest thinkers to contribute to the philosophy that has come to be known as Daojia, or school of the Way. According to traditional dating, he was an almost exact contemporary of the Confucian thinker Mencius, but there appears to have been little to no communication between them. He is ranked among the greatest of literary and philosophical giants that China has produced. His style is complex¡ªmythical, poetic, narrative, humorous, indirect, and polysemic.
Zhuangzi, or ¡°Master Zhuang¡± (also known in the Wade-Giles romanization as Chuang-tzu) was, after Laozi, one of the earliest thinkers to contribute to the philosophy that has come to be known as Daojia, or school of the Way. According to traditional dating, he was an almost exact contemporary of the Confucian thinker Mencius, but there appears to have been little to no communication between them. He is ranked among the greatest of literary and philosophical giants that China has produced. His style is complex¡ªmythical, poetic, narrative, humorous, indirect, and polysemic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 3, 2023
"Once upon a time, I, Zhuangzi, dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of following my fancies as a butterfly, and was unconscious of my individuality as a man. Suddenly, I awoke, and there I lay, myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man."
The above quote, one of my favourite so far from the book.
A book that questions the perceptions of reality and embrace the harmony between nature and self.
Throughout the book we are treated to a rich tapestry of allegorical tales, parables, and anecdotes that showcase Zhuangzi's distinctive writing style and unique philosophical approach. The book's flow is engaging making it a good read.
The above quote, one of my favourite so far from the book.
A book that questions the perceptions of reality and embrace the harmony between nature and self.
Throughout the book we are treated to a rich tapestry of allegorical tales, parables, and anecdotes that showcase Zhuangzi's distinctive writing style and unique philosophical approach. The book's flow is engaging making it a good read.
March 29, 2016
I don't read classical Chinese and can't comment on the translation's skill and accuracy, but I can say as a long time amateur fan and recent teacher of Zhuangzi's text that I appreciated this translation quite a bit.
Ziporyn sometimes makes choices that seem odd to me. He translates "Dao" as "Course" rather than the more common "Way." One of my favorite stories at 2:38 is a conversation between two characters that Ziporyn calls Nie Que and Wang Ni rather than translating their amusing nicknames as "Gaptooth" and "Royal Relativity" as you'd find in Paul Kjellberg's translation in . And there's a poignant story of Zhuangzi reacting to his wife's death, which Ziporyn doesn't include (along with the entirety of chapter 18, where that story takes place).
But these are relatively minor complaints compared to the excellent things about this volume. Ziporyn's introduction is extremely helpful and interesting on the history of the text and its contemporary interpretations as well as explaining some of what people have been finding so intriguing about Zhuangzi for thousands of years. His translation is for the most part smoothly readable and seems to capture Zhuangzi's philosophical depth and humor (as far as I can tell, anyway). His footnotes and glossary are helpful. He provides excerpts from commentaries on the Inner Chapters, which as someone starting to take a more scholarly interest in the text I was excited to read.
I heartily recommend this translation for anyone looking to get a bit deeper into Zhuangzi's text.
Ziporyn sometimes makes choices that seem odd to me. He translates "Dao" as "Course" rather than the more common "Way." One of my favorite stories at 2:38 is a conversation between two characters that Ziporyn calls Nie Que and Wang Ni rather than translating their amusing nicknames as "Gaptooth" and "Royal Relativity" as you'd find in Paul Kjellberg's translation in . And there's a poignant story of Zhuangzi reacting to his wife's death, which Ziporyn doesn't include (along with the entirety of chapter 18, where that story takes place).
But these are relatively minor complaints compared to the excellent things about this volume. Ziporyn's introduction is extremely helpful and interesting on the history of the text and its contemporary interpretations as well as explaining some of what people have been finding so intriguing about Zhuangzi for thousands of years. His translation is for the most part smoothly readable and seems to capture Zhuangzi's philosophical depth and humor (as far as I can tell, anyway). His footnotes and glossary are helpful. He provides excerpts from commentaries on the Inner Chapters, which as someone starting to take a more scholarly interest in the text I was excited to read.
I heartily recommend this translation for anyone looking to get a bit deeper into Zhuangzi's text.
November 21, 2009
"Here he comes to the important point, but makes sure to refute it in advance" (from one of the commentaries included).
Delights in paradoxes, but in a way that invites you to think about them instead of just accepting them. For example, even though I don't agree with Zhuangzi's relativism, I find it challenging and thought-provoking because he sees the absurdity of thinking right and wrong are somehow predetermined.
This has the seven "Inner Chapters" thought to be written by the historical Zhuangzi, and selections from the other chapters, probably by later writers from the same tradition.
Delights in paradoxes, but in a way that invites you to think about them instead of just accepting them. For example, even though I don't agree with Zhuangzi's relativism, I find it challenging and thought-provoking because he sees the absurdity of thinking right and wrong are somehow predetermined.
This has the seven "Inner Chapters" thought to be written by the historical Zhuangzi, and selections from the other chapters, probably by later writers from the same tradition.
March 22, 2021
Book 2/42
All things are one horse.
All things are one horse.
August 28, 2018
What horse?
With all kidding aside one of the most important books one can read in a lifetime. But understanding it will also take you a great part of that time. Cryptic, intelligent, amazing.
With the best translation for people who are not able to read the original. Also it has a great amount of footnotes that compare translations and definitions. A must have for every Taoist fan.
With all kidding aside one of the most important books one can read in a lifetime. But understanding it will also take you a great part of that time. Cryptic, intelligent, amazing.
With the best translation for people who are not able to read the original. Also it has a great amount of footnotes that compare translations and definitions. A must have for every Taoist fan.
March 15, 2016
Zhuangzi (or Chuang-tsu Çf×Ó) was one of the big three contributors to Taoist thought alongside Laozi and Liezi; although Zhuangzi's writings particularly in the Inner Chapters cannot be classed as strictly Taoist and he was only classified as such in later dynasties.
The edition of the Zhuangzi translated by Brook Ziporyn has the whole of the Inner Chapter, traditionally ascribed to Zhuangzi, a selection of the Outer Chapters, and of particular note, a selection of commentaries on the Inner Chapters by noted, later commentators including Guo Xiang.
A deeply insightful and poetic work, it is always hard to capture the original in translation but Ziporyn does well - at times, though the translation seems "looser" than previous translations such as Graham's (which remains the most academic and thorough).
This is one of the most recent translations of the Zhuangzi and thus benefits from that. The most worthwhile aspect of this edition is, as previously mentioned, the additional commentaries and an interesting introduction.
The edition of the Zhuangzi translated by Brook Ziporyn has the whole of the Inner Chapter, traditionally ascribed to Zhuangzi, a selection of the Outer Chapters, and of particular note, a selection of commentaries on the Inner Chapters by noted, later commentators including Guo Xiang.
A deeply insightful and poetic work, it is always hard to capture the original in translation but Ziporyn does well - at times, though the translation seems "looser" than previous translations such as Graham's (which remains the most academic and thorough).
This is one of the most recent translations of the Zhuangzi and thus benefits from that. The most worthwhile aspect of this edition is, as previously mentioned, the additional commentaries and an interesting introduction.
Read
September 14, 2022Literally unrateable, because my slow pea-brain just couldn't keep up Zhuangzi's 200 mph wit. This was the hardest reading I've done since trying (and failing) to read Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. The Outer Chapters are pretty straightforward, but the bulk of the genius commentary is found in the crazy Inner Chapters, which Zhuangzi is believed to have written himself.
Without trying to dig around for any specific passages, the biggest takeaway I got from Zhuangzi is that we humans make life unnecessarily complicated (causing very preventable misery) by craving excess when it's actually really simple. Which is ironic because I went through at least 3 layers of hell and back trying to decipher what Zhuangzi was trying to say with his complicated allegories... but I guess that's a little besides the point.
*ahem*
Something else that stuck out to me: he loathed the so-called "sages" and was very big on exposing the foolishness of chasing knowledge just for the sake of learning and feeling intelligent or wise, and warned against any self-affirmations that you know anything about anything. Epistemology and stuff. But if I know anything about myself at all, it's that I have been completely humbled by Teacher Zhuangzi.
Without trying to dig around for any specific passages, the biggest takeaway I got from Zhuangzi is that we humans make life unnecessarily complicated (causing very preventable misery) by craving excess when it's actually really simple. Which is ironic because I went through at least 3 layers of hell and back trying to decipher what Zhuangzi was trying to say with his complicated allegories... but I guess that's a little besides the point.
*ahem*
Something else that stuck out to me: he loathed the so-called "sages" and was very big on exposing the foolishness of chasing knowledge just for the sake of learning and feeling intelligent or wise, and warned against any self-affirmations that you know anything about anything. Epistemology and stuff. But if I know anything about myself at all, it's that I have been completely humbled by Teacher Zhuangzi.
February 10, 2017
What a wonderful piece of mindfucktual nonsense! Zhuang Zi (and his discples) must have been seriously drunk (let historians decide if it was by heaven or by wine) during writing this attempt to make you question your... well everything. One must love this branch of chinese though (or hate If you're confucian or mohist). Just lovely book.
If you're at least little bit in chinese thought you should read this book.
What was dissapointing was commentaties. It was all given at the end of book, so you have to either choose frequent jumping between pages or reading commentaries long after finishing chapters of book.
If you're at least little bit in chinese thought you should read this book.
What was dissapointing was commentaties. It was all given at the end of book, so you have to either choose frequent jumping between pages or reading commentaries long after finishing chapters of book.
July 30, 2013
Mind-blowing.
February 25, 2020
Cultivating wu-wei. Read excerpts for a class.
January 14, 2024
Zhuangzi criticizes language, arguing that words give us a false sense of stability by creating the impression of fixed ¡°concepts,¡± when really, everything is in flux. Nonetheless, he manages to use language in creative ways that transcend these barriers, making his points through tools like metaphor and paradox rather than simply via direct explanation.
I also really appreciated the detailed footnotes, which gave alternate translations and provided insight into the meaning of his words. These footnotes were often very ¡°highlight-able¡±¡ª one of my favorites included, ¡°Zhuangzi¡¯s notion of oneness depends on the multiplicity of distinct identities and viewpoints, not on collapsing them into literal unity. It is just that each perspective, precisely by dwelling in its own perspective, necessarily posits other perspectives as part of its own experience.¡±
All in all, a very powerful book and a wonderful introduction to Daoist thought.
I also really appreciated the detailed footnotes, which gave alternate translations and provided insight into the meaning of his words. These footnotes were often very ¡°highlight-able¡±¡ª one of my favorites included, ¡°Zhuangzi¡¯s notion of oneness depends on the multiplicity of distinct identities and viewpoints, not on collapsing them into literal unity. It is just that each perspective, precisely by dwelling in its own perspective, necessarily posits other perspectives as part of its own experience.¡±
All in all, a very powerful book and a wonderful introduction to Daoist thought.
January 10, 2024
one of the more interesting SLE reads! i thought his philosophy was good, the writing was well done, and it was actually easy to understand (this is a ¡®fuck you¡¯ to those greeks). he really walks you through the analogies he poses and you get to wrestle with his philosophy yourself, so even if you don¡¯t agree, you understand.
April 23, 2024
Absolutely fantastic read. Very grounding.
August 18, 2019
I'm in no position to judge the quality of a translation. Ziporyn's book was recommended by another author, Scott Bradley, whose writing on Chuang Tzu I have found beneficial. It turns out, Ziporyn is highly regarded in academia. Ziporyn has produced an easy to read translation with very detailed notes providing context or other translations.
The Zhuangzi itself is a perspective-altering read, but it requires precisely the notes and context that Ziporyn provides. The last part of the book is a curated selection of commentaries on The Zhuangzi by multiple ancient Chinese commentators across several centuries. That, too, is very valuable in this volume.
The Zhuangzi itself is a perspective-altering read, but it requires precisely the notes and context that Ziporyn provides. The last part of the book is a curated selection of commentaries on The Zhuangzi by multiple ancient Chinese commentators across several centuries. That, too, is very valuable in this volume.
March 31, 2017
Needs to be simplified and updated to modern American English as the English language has improved its philosophical understanding considerably in the last fifty years.
The "core" ideas of Zhuangzi can be condensed and simplified to a few pages and parallel Indian Vedic literature [Vedas] of that time period.
The "core" ideas of Zhuangzi can be condensed and simplified to a few pages and parallel Indian Vedic literature [Vedas] of that time period.
December 17, 2018
One of the World¡¯s greatest texts of Taoism by one of its greatest teachers, Zhuangzi. Translation is good, but would¡¯ve been improved (and less cumbersome) by just calling the ¡°Course,¡± the ¡°Tao,¡± as one example.
December 27, 2016
5 stars for Zhunagzi, 3 stars for the "traditional commentaries". Apparatus and introduction were useful, but I would not suggest this as the first stop for Zhuangzi.
April 10, 2018
Some interesting points and nicely documented, but not as clear as the Tao Te Ching
August 28, 2020
"Everyone knows how useful usefulness is, but no one seems to know how useful uselessness is."
Alongside the Dao De Jing, the works of Zhuangzi form the major texts of the Daoist tradition. This edition by Brook Ziporyn includes only selections from Zhuanzi's full works (the full inner chapters, and sections from the outer and miscellaneous chapter). Perhaps the most interesting part of this edition is Ziporyn's addition of passages from traditional commentators on the inner chapters, which are helpful for understanding the reception of these sections. Although Ziporyn translates Dao as "Course" instead of the more popular "Way," the text is incredibly readable and flows well, seeming to preserve much of the style of the original, even if certain parts, like the jokes don't seem to come across as well in the English. Overall, it's a lively and entertaining read, and a perhaps a good introductory text to Daoist ideas for modern Anglophone readers. In contrast to most western philosophy, the anecdotal and light-hearted nature of Zhuangzi makes for a refreshing read on old problems.
Alongside the Dao De Jing, the works of Zhuangzi form the major texts of the Daoist tradition. This edition by Brook Ziporyn includes only selections from Zhuanzi's full works (the full inner chapters, and sections from the outer and miscellaneous chapter). Perhaps the most interesting part of this edition is Ziporyn's addition of passages from traditional commentators on the inner chapters, which are helpful for understanding the reception of these sections. Although Ziporyn translates Dao as "Course" instead of the more popular "Way," the text is incredibly readable and flows well, seeming to preserve much of the style of the original, even if certain parts, like the jokes don't seem to come across as well in the English. Overall, it's a lively and entertaining read, and a perhaps a good introductory text to Daoist ideas for modern Anglophone readers. In contrast to most western philosophy, the anecdotal and light-hearted nature of Zhuangzi makes for a refreshing read on old problems.
April 5, 2021
Pretty fascinating and enigmatic work by the canonical Taoist Zhuangzi. I cannot imagine studying this text without instruction. I mean, it ends like this (different translation):
"The god of the Southern Sea was Swift; the god of the Northern Sea was Sudden. The god of the center was Hundun. Swift and Sudden would often meet in the land of Hundun, and Hundun would host them with great courtesy. Swift and Sudden made a plan to return Hundun¡¯s generosity. 'All men have seven orifices,' they said, 'so that they can see and hear, eat and breathe. Hundun alone has none. Why don¡¯t we bore these for him?' Each day, they bored one orifice, and on the seventh day, Hundun died."
Also, somebody needs to tell teenage redditors going through a Taoist phase that it is impossible to appropriately study this tradition without the context of Confucianism or the greater Chinese philosophical tradition.
"The god of the Southern Sea was Swift; the god of the Northern Sea was Sudden. The god of the center was Hundun. Swift and Sudden would often meet in the land of Hundun, and Hundun would host them with great courtesy. Swift and Sudden made a plan to return Hundun¡¯s generosity. 'All men have seven orifices,' they said, 'so that they can see and hear, eat and breathe. Hundun alone has none. Why don¡¯t we bore these for him?' Each day, they bored one orifice, and on the seventh day, Hundun died."
Also, somebody needs to tell teenage redditors going through a Taoist phase that it is impossible to appropriately study this tradition without the context of Confucianism or the greater Chinese philosophical tradition.
January 25, 2021
Strange
I didn't get this. I understand the philosophy but the way this book is structured is confusing and in many ways misleading. A shame. I read this book in bits, using the reading as an interlude, chapter by chapter, between other books. There are some philosophical statements that struck a chord. 'The Course' is a different interpretation of translation for 'The Way'. Maybe it was the desire to translate and interpret the original precisely that resulted in the loss of sense.
I didn't get this. I understand the philosophy but the way this book is structured is confusing and in many ways misleading. A shame. I read this book in bits, using the reading as an interlude, chapter by chapter, between other books. There are some philosophical statements that struck a chord. 'The Course' is a different interpretation of translation for 'The Way'. Maybe it was the desire to translate and interpret the original precisely that resulted in the loss of sense.
October 20, 2020
Pretty interesting read if you like philosophy. Very underrated in comparison to the Tao Te Ching. Hard to graps in places but, overall, easy to understand and written in a beautiful way: it has a classically Chinese mystical feel (Peng the giant bird, the Oxen butcher that carves effortlessly). Cerainly packs a lot of worms into one can and requires a reread, maybe some research around the topic/context along with other interpretations/opinions to get a better feel.
December 29, 2021
As I was not particularly concerned about the outer chapters of Zhuangzi this book suited me perfectly. This edition does not include the complete outer chapters. The selection from the commentaries are interesting and sometimes strange. The annotations and glossary are very good.
December 28, 2022
Wrote a comparative paper about it. gave a presentation on it. had a great professor who made this text much more accessible to me than would be possible without her instruction. Methods and Themes class Spring 2022
August 31, 2020
Read it ! And then read again! I feel so stupid every time. Our society feels so dumbed down even if you do compare.. read it 10/5 stars!
February 18, 2021
Inner Chapters - 5 Stars
Translation - 5 Stars - Lots of notes and alternate takes on verses
Rest of Zhuangzi - 4 Stars
Translation - 5 Stars - Lots of notes and alternate takes on verses
Rest of Zhuangzi - 4 Stars
August 22, 2021
Best read of the year so far. Zhuangzi is a continuous stream of gold packed with so much wisdom it sometimes feels like too much.
April 16, 2023
Genevieve rec for poetics medicinal understanding
February 4, 2024
Didn¡¯t love this¡ªtoo much ¡°live ur own truth¡± and ambiguity in my opinion.
February 15, 2024
are we all butterflies?
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