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Analects: With Selections from Traditional Commentaries (Hackett Classics) Hackett Classics Series Edition

by Confucius (Author), Edward Slingerland (Translator)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 170 ratings
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This edition goes beyond others that largely leave readers to their own devices in understanding this cryptic work, by providing an entrée into the text that parallels the traditional Chinese way of approaching it: alongside Slingerland's exquisite rendering of the work are his translations of a selection of classic Chinese commentaries that shed light on difficult passages, provide historical and cultural context, and invite the reader to ponder a range of interpretations. The ideal student edition, this volume also includes a general introduction, notes, multiple appendices--including a glossary of technical terms, references to modern Western scholarship that point the way for further study, and an annotated bibliography.

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  1. ISBN-10
    9780872206359
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0872206359
  3. Edition
    Hackett Classics Series
  4. Publisher
    Hackett Publishing Company, Inc.
  5. Publication date
    September 1, 2003
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    5.75 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
  8. Print length
    312 pages
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Confucius taught that 'virtue is never solitary; it always has neighbors.' (4.25). Based on the best modern and traditional Chinese and Western scholarship, Edward Slingerland's exemplary new translation of the Analects―including selections from the traditional commentaries on each passage of the text―is a welcome edition. Contemporary readers will be enlightened as to what Confucius taught his disciples and will share the experience of being a neighbor to all the generations of students who have pondered the sometimes cryptic and enigmatic words of Confucius. Slingerland's use of commentary gives readers a fighting chance at understanding and appreciating this foundational Confucian classic. --John Berthrong, Boston University



This work not only exemplifies meticulous research and scrupulous craft of translation, it also offers a new perspective for Analects scholarship and a new model for Analects translation. Edward Slingerland should be congratulated for providing such an invaluable service to American college students as well as the scholarly community at large. There is much for us to learn from this new translation, and we are all indebted to its author. --Yuet Keung Lo, China Review International



Edward Slingerland's new translation of the Confucian Analects is something that we have long needed: an accurate, lucid rendition paired with helpful explanations and reference material, including selections from the most important traditional commentaries. General readers and students will find no more accessible, reliable entree to this difficult and seminal text. This new Analects is an extraordinary contribution and should by rights become the preferred starting-point for English-language readers. --David Schaberg, University of California, Los Angeles

About the Author

Edward Slingerland is Associate Professor of Asian Studies, Canada Research Chair, University of British Columbia.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0872206351
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hackett Publishing Company, Inc.; Hackett Classics Series edition (September 1, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 312 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780872206359
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0872206359
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 170 ratings

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  1. Confucius

    Confucius

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  2. Edward Slingerland

    Edward Slingerland

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    I'm Distinguished University Scholar and Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia, and was educated at Princeton, Stanford and the University of California, Berkeley. My areas of specialty include Chinese thought, comparative religion, cognitive science, and the relationship between the sciences and the humanities. In addition to academic journal articles in a wide range of fields, I've written several scholarly books, including What Science Offers the Humanities, Mind and Body in Early China, and a translation of the Analects of Confucius. My first book for a popular audience, Trying Not to Try, came out from Crown (Random House) in March 2014, and my second trade book, Drunk, was published by Little, Brown Spark in June 2021.

    After living most of my life in the States (New Jersey, then California for 16 years), I'm now a U.S.-Canada dual citizen and live in Vancouver, although I still spend as much time as possible on the coast of Northern California.

    You can find out more about my work and the various research projects that I'm involved in at my website: edwardslingerland.com

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
170 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Sol 솔
5.0 out of 5 stars Standard reference for the Analects
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
This should really be considered THE standard reference for the Analects in English. Slingerland's linguistic choices, in terms of which word to use for a specific Chinese character, are impeccable.

Downsides: It doesn't adhere to a single traditional Chinese interpretation, notably the Zhu Xi interpretation that has been dominant for over 600 years. Although it features commentary, which is excellently translated, the selections appear to be subjectively chosen without a consistent standard. Furthermore, the phraseology of the translations leans more toward a verbose Western style and narrow logic, as opposed to the "concise yet open" gu-wen 古文 style in which the Analects is written.

That said, as a comprehensive "reference standard," there's really no other work that compares.
4 people found this helpful
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Atseicah
5.0 out of 5 stars Great commentary and modern translation
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2011
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I bought this book for a college course. I've read the Analects before but I thought this was a great translation. The commentary also helps a great deal since the Analects themselves can be very vague. In some of the commentary the author goes to great lengths to tell the background story which helps give you a much better understanding of the context. Overall great book.
13 people found this helpful
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Paul
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Translation of the Analects
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2021
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If I recommend that a friend read The Analects, I specifically single out this translation as the go-to. The phrasing is brilliant, succinct, and easily digestible. The author has expertly selected relevant commentaries to include and editorializes in a nuanced manner that emphasizes the fluid and subjective nature of interpreting these ancient ideas.

The author treats the reader with respect by not shying away from uncertainty yet makes these complex and nuanced topics easy to understand by a modern audience.
5 people found this helpful
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K. Fishler
4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful translation
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2021
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I am not a student of Eastern religion or philosophy. When I had to take such a class, I used this translation at the suggestion of my professor. I appreciated the translation and the explanations in between all of the passages, which made this portion of my class much more easily grasped.
2 people found this helpful
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pedro99
5.0 out of 5 stars Greatly helpful commentaries
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2020
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There's at least a few sentences of exposition for each saying or dialogue, and some expositions last for a page. Slingerland's selections from traditional commentaries help to explain the more semiotically embedded analects: for example, the obscure conversation in 4.21 about a chestnut tree is illuminated by the knowledge that "chestnut tree" is a classical Chinese pun on "fear," which has the same character and pronunciation. This edition is especially helpful for outsiders like me.
9 people found this helpful
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JS
3.0 out of 5 stars Above average, but confusing at times
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2014
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Slingerland's translation of the Analects is not bad. However, I am only giving it three stars. This is because there are some points where the author purposefully diverges from what he knows to be the normal understanding of a sentence. For example, verse 3.23 inverts the meaning of the sentence, making Confucius an Aristotelian. In verse 9.1 the remarkable statement that "Confucius rarely spoke about goodness", known to all Chinese, is turned on its head through a revisionist reading of a character. The latter translation is explained at length in commentary, so that the reader is aware what is going on, but the former is not.

Before you buy, go to a large public library and try comparing this to an edition by Burton Watson or Arthur Waley.
15 people found this helpful
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Akhilesh Pillalamarri
5.0 out of 5 stars Only get this version
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2012
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Honestly, don't get any other copy of the Analects. Due to the nature of the Analects, which are composed of short passages and proverbs, a straight reading of them in English can leave one underwhelmed. The Analects are brought to life when one acquires the historical and philosophical context that sheds light on its passages. In other words, the Analects only actually make sense (the way they're supposed to) with the commentaries. As far as I know, this is the only English translation in print with some of these commentaries. Reading the Analects with the commentaries totally changed my understanding of Confucianism.
14 people found this helpful
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Kevalya
5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the best contemporary translation of the Analects.
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2018
Verified Purchase
I teach Chinese Philosophy. Although I do not read Classical Chinese and can't comment on the quality of the translation from that perspective, I will say the text is very fluent and the translator is well-respected. This translation is frequently cited by other experts. The commentary is excellent. Highly recommended.
15 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great edition with excellent introduction and contextual information throughout
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 15, 2021
Verified Purchase
This edition of the Analects translated by Edward Slingerland has a clear and erudite introduction to engage the non scholar and each book has accompanying information to contextualise and give meaning to the sayings. Very enjoyable reading.
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Amkn
5.0 out of 5 stars No dust cover
Reviewed in Canada on June 22, 2019
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Hardcover is nice
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Gity Ghatan
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on August 18, 2018
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very good, arrived in time
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J
5.0 out of 5 stars Analects
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2014
Verified Purchase
I can't comment on the accuracy of the translation. I have, however, read a number of translations, and this was by far the clearest and most readable. The commentary was pitched perfectly, giving me the context I needed without overwhelming the text. I came away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Confucius. This is the version I will be going back to again and again.
5 people found this helpful
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Bob-a-Job
5.0 out of 5 stars Shake up your thinking!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 19, 2016
Verified Purchase
Shake up your thinking! You might not understand the words of the Master at first reading, but the excellent commentaries will elucidate and stimulate the mind. Interesting to find how thoughts and ideas of another time and place are similar to what are more usually found at home, today in one's own culture.
2 people found this helpful
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