The Most Venerable Book (Shang Shu)

The Most Venerable Book (Shang Shu)

$22.99 AUD $19.54 AUD

Availability: in stock at our Melbourne warehouse.

Author: Confucius

Format: Paperback / softback

Number of Pages: 256


'A leader Should be loved. Who Should be feared? The people.' The Most Venerable Book is one of the most sacred works of Chinese civilization. It has been read for over 1300 years as an essential guide to good governance, with its prestige stemming from the belief that it had been assembled by Confucius himself. Describing heroic figures and key events from China's past, this chronicle of changing dynasties, benevolent rulers, sagacious ministers and vicious tyrants extols the virtues of good kingship, and the need for those who restrain the powerful to maintain the order of the cosmos. This fluid modern translation breathes new life to an ancient text that still shows how to govern, and live, well. Translated with an Introduction by Martin Palmer



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Esther Meszaros
The Most Venerable Book (Shang Shu) of Confucius - One of the Great Books of the World.

Like the Bible (both Old and New Testaments) and the Koran, the above book is one of the Great Books of the World. The tenets of Confucian philosophy, whether actually written by him, edited by him or gathered under the umbrella of his name, have been read, revered and followed in China for over 1300 years. Easy reading the book is not, especially as I neither speak Mandarin, know much of Chinese history or geography. I read it with a map, a tourist's overview of Chinese "history through the decades" and frequent detours to the Internet for information on some matter mentioned in it. The English translation is modern and is easy to follow and the notes at the back are most helpful. It is not a book to read in one go. After a quick skim, I am now working my way through it, hopefully absorbing its concepts of "how to do the right thing", in doing so. I am enjoying the process and recommend the book to anyone interested in China.

Description
Author: Confucius

Format: Paperback / softback

Number of Pages: 256


'A leader Should be loved. Who Should be feared? The people.' The Most Venerable Book is one of the most sacred works of Chinese civilization. It has been read for over 1300 years as an essential guide to good governance, with its prestige stemming from the belief that it had been assembled by Confucius himself. Describing heroic figures and key events from China's past, this chronicle of changing dynasties, benevolent rulers, sagacious ministers and vicious tyrants extols the virtues of good kingship, and the need for those who restrain the powerful to maintain the order of the cosmos. This fluid modern translation breathes new life to an ancient text that still shows how to govern, and live, well. Translated with an Introduction by Martin Palmer