The Mengzi is one of the richest philosophical texts in classical Chinese philosophy, and Van Norden's translation is among the few that do it justice. His translation is further distinguished by its accessibility and is unique in including substantial selections from later commentaries. As such it is both an essential scholarly resource and a great introduction to Confucian thought.
Justin Tiwald, San Francisco State University Bryan W. Van Norden accomplishes two impressive feats in this important new translation of Mengzi (Mencius). First, he presents the text in a traditional fashion, with indispensable commentary interwoven into
yet always clearly distinct from—the text. This opens up the text to modern readers as never before in a translation. Second, he both lets us hear the voice of the text's greatest commentator (Zhu Xi from the twelfth century) and gives us a translation faithful to the text's original time and philosophy. The supple balance with which Van Norden pulls this off makes this translation perfect for students, general readers, and scholars alike.
Stephen Angle, Wesleyan University This is the most accurate, readable, and philosophically revealing version of the Mengzi available. It has the added virtue of a running commentary that weaves together Zhu Xi's explanation of Mengzi's thought with Van Norden's exposition and insights and his selected bibliographies. The inclusion of Zhu Xi's comments allows readers to appreciate more fully not only the depth of Mengzi's original vision but also its power to inspire creative interpretation by one of the greatest minds of the neo-Confucian period. The result is a magnificent work that brings the study and understanding of Mengzi's philosophy to an unprecedented and most impressive level of rigor, sophistication, and interest.
Philip J. Ivanhoe, City University of Hong Kong