The Chinese Classics: with a translation, critical and exegetical notes, prolegomena and copious indexes / (Shih ching. English) — Volume 1

Name: The Chinese Classics: with a translation, critical and exegetical notes, prolegomena and copious indexes / (Shih ching. English) — Volume 1
Author: James Legge

By James Legge

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About This Book

A prolegomenon surveys the corpus of early Chinese classical literature, defines key terms used to denote canonical works, and identifies the principal collections traditionally regarded as authoritative. It examines questions of authorship and compilation, the historical processes of loss, recovery, and imperial cataloguing that shaped transmission, and the shifting arrangements and subdivisions that produced the familiar classifications of Five Classics and Four Books. The essay also discusses editorial interpolations, variant editions, and how historical reception influenced the perceived authority of individual texts.

About the Author

James Legge

James Legge was a Scottish missionary and sinologist known for his significant contributions to the translation and interpretation of Chinese classical texts. He is particularly recognized for his translations of Confucian and Taoist works, which have played a crucial role in making these texts accessible to Western audiences. Among his notable works is "The Chinese Classics — Volume 1: Confucian Analects," where he provides not only translations but also critical and exegetical notes that enhance understanding of the original texts. Legge's scholarly efforts have had a lasting impact on the study of Chinese literature and philosophy.