Description
Book SynopsisCompiled in China in the fourth–third centuries BCE,
The Book of Lord Shang argues for a new powerful government to rule over society. In Yuri Pines’s translation, Shang’s intellectual boldness and surprisingly modern-looking ideas shine through, underscoring the text’s vibrant contribution to global political thought.
Trade ReviewNo one in the world is more qualified than Yuri Pines to present this new translation of the infamous
The Book of Lord Shang, which has both fascinated and repelled readers throughout Chinese history. Accompanied by a superbly informed study of Lord Shang's place in his political context and the reliability of the text attributed to him, this is sure to be the standard translation for decades to come. -- Paul R. Goldin, author of
ConfucianismA magisterial study and translation, this new edition of
The Book of Lord Shang provides, finally, full access to one of the foundational texts of ancient Chinese political thought. Pines, the leading Western authority in the field, sets the standard of excellence for exploring the intellectual origins of the Chinese imperial state—and even the relevance of Lord Shang's ideas to China's political debates today. -- Martin Kern, author of
The Stele Inscriptions of Ch'in Shih-huang: Text and Ritual in Early Chinese Imperial RepresentationThis thorough study and complete translation of
The Book of Lord Shang is a major achievement. It will open many avenues for research into early political thought, a long neglected core topic of early Chinese philosophy. -- Carine Defoort, coeditor,
The Mozi as an Evolving Text: Different Voices in Early Chinese ThoughtThe Book of Lord Shang is one of the most important texts of political theory in the classical Chinese tradition. Pines does an outstanding job of translating the work in its entirety. He also provides an invaluable introduction to the text, the historical context within which it was written, and the nature of the political theory found therein. A wonderful work that will help this text achieve the prominence that it deserves. -- Michael Puett, coauthor of
The Path: What Chinese Philosophers Can Teach Us About the Good LifePines has rescued an important political and philosophical text from unjustified neglect. His fascinating introduction locates the work within its historical context and intellectual tradition most admirably. Lord Shang's policy recommendations are as bold and uncompromising—even shocking—to readers today as they were to its original audience. A lucid and highly recommended translation. -- Robin D. S. Yates, translator of
Five Lost Classics: Tao, Huang-lao, and Yin-yang in Han ChinaTable of ContentsPreface to the Abridged Edition
Acknowledgments
Map of the Warring States World Around 350 BCE
Part IIntroduction
1. Shang Yang and His Times
2. The Text: History, Dating, Style
3. The Ideology of the Total State
4. The Text’s Reception and Impact
Part II: The Book of Lord ShangNotes on Translation
1. Revising the Laws
2. Orders to Cultivate Wastelands
3. Agriculture and Warfare
4. Eliminating the Strong
with 20. Weakening the People
and 5. Explaining the People
6. Calculating the Land
7. Opening the Blocked
8. Speaking of the One
9. Implementing Laws
10. Methods of War
11. Establishing the Roots
12. Military Defense
13. Making Orders Strict
14. Cultivation of Authority
15. Attracting the People
16. Essentials of Punishments
17. Rewards and Punishments
18. Charting the Policies
19. Within the Borders
20.
See chapter 421. Protecting from Robbers
22. External and Internal
23. Ruler and Ministers
24. Interdicting and Encouraging
25. Attention to Law
26. Fixing Divisions
Fragment of “Six Laws”
Notes
Bibliography
Index
