The Wisdom of Confucius represents a landmark achievement in compilation and production, the result of six years of meticulous work. This six-volume series showcases the finest craftsmanship Hong Kong has to offer, with each volume measuring 16½" × 11½". The text is printed on acid-free cotton pulp paper with gold-trimmed edges, bound in silk, and decorated with an embossed title and cover illustration stamped in gold. Each volume is housed in its own silk-covered, sturdy folder.
Volumes One and Two (a combined 1,260 pages) reproduce The Lun Yü from a 1677 edition of The Four Books, published by Imperial Command during the 16th year of Emperor K’ang Hsi’s reign in the Ch’ing Dynasty. Volume One also includes 217 captioned plates featuring rare photographs, paintings, etchings, and stone rubbings.
Volume Three (392 pages) presents The Lun Yü in contemporary Chinese. It contains 499 verses comprising Confucius’ sayings and dialogues, arranged into twenty chapters compiled by his disciples and followers after his lifetime to honour and preserve his philosophy.
Volumes Four, Five, and Six (each 368 pages) are translations in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Each includes a supplementary booklet with captions explaining the illustrations in Volume One. At the back of these volumes are an index and appendices, which feature:
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Confucius: A Biography – a detailed account of his life and times during the Chou Dynasty, with insights into the artistic, cultural, and political context of the era.
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Terminology – an in-depth glossary of expressions used by Confucius, aiding interpretation of the text.
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Time Chart – a chronological record of significant historical events dating back to 4,000 B.C.
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Names – a directory of disciples, contemporaries, places, and dynasties associated with Confucius and his works.
Upon release, The Wisdom of Confucius received global recognition, with copies sent to leading universities and institutions worldwide.
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