Zhao Lihong
The Roots of Wisdom, written by Hong Yingming in the Ming Dynasty, is a rare book which contains abundant perspectives, wisdom and philosophy. With its literary form embodied in maxim, the book is composed of more than three hundred short writings, from which there can be seen striking expressions, simply-explained profoundness and thought-provoking substances. By reading the book, we will be strongly impressed by the author’s rich accumulation of the theories of the ancient sages in Chinese history, his knowledge ranging from the thoughts of Confucius, Mencius, Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi to the relevant doctrines involved in Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Legalism, as well as his successful exploits in extracting the essences therein and putting them into meditation in the way of Chan. So what he presented in his book are mostly related to the substantial issues regarding myriad affairs of the human world, exhortations on people’s doing good and enlightenment for them on how to determine their will, regulate their conduct, cultivate their inner power and refine their personal dispositions. In addition, the book also unfolds before our eyes a big variety of subtle views existing between the heaven and earth. It can be said that it stops at nothing and nothing is left out.
It is because of the fantastic features manifested in its context such as intelligent ideology, broad-mindedness, fresh extent of wording and phrasing and enormous desirable braveries of life that the book, during the hundreds of years of circulation, has been not only appreciated by men of letters but also cherished by the common people, thereby coming out as a rare book universally welcomed. As a matter of fact, the proverbs like “One who can endure chewing vegetable root will find nothing is difficult.” and “Course clothes give warmth and vegetable roots fragrance, while indulgence in study brings about lifelong benefit.” are all considered to be the plaudits for the book.
There have been many different annotations and interpretations on the words and expressions contained in this rare book since its appearance. The dictions used in it have been evolved into numerous understandings all through the ages. The implied meanings of the vocabulary have been renewed from time to time and yet remain new to the readers of the coming generations. Its influence has flowed widely not merely within China but also without, wherefrom its echoes have been now and then sounding from Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia.
Now Shanghai People’s Publishing House is to publish The Roots of Wisdom in the version of Chinese-English. I would like to take this chance to say that the publication of the translation is a piece of good news to Chinese readers who are now engaged in English learning and also an event even more significant to those English-speaking people who are interested in Chinese culture.
Many years ago, Mr. Zhou Wenbiao, the translator of The Roots of Wisdom, lead an English-to-Chinese translation of The Home Book of Quotations (compiled by Burton Stevenson) and recompiled it single-handedly in accordance with Chinese phonetic alphabet, and thus created a remarkable precedent for the dictionaries of this kind in China. This time Mr. Zhou takes The Roots of Wisdom as his new rendering which manifests again the sense of his exertion and confidence. For having such an ancient book translated from Chinese into English is no easy matter for an unadulterated Chinese. To do it well there must come into play a good command of English language and a deep, precise understanding of Chinese traditional culture as well. So it can be imagined that Mr. Zhou must have encountered many difficulties in his rendering into English those old Chinese with profound meanings of several centuries prior. Be that as it was, he was not baffled and what he contemplated three years ago has now come true in the very publication he presents to us. No wonder when readers have the book in their hands there would surely well up in their hearts the appreciation for the translator who has done his part in putting up a bridge to connect Chinese and English cultures.
It’s my pleasure to write this preface for the book as above.
Four-Pace Study in Shanghai
June, 12th 2008
Translator’s Note:
Above is the preface written by Mr. Zhao Lihong, vice president of Shanghai Writers Association, in June 2008. It’s my honor to have his preface reused as the introduction to The Roots of Wisdom in the publication of Chinese-English version of Three Canons of Personal Cultivation issued by Baihuazhou Literature and Art Press, and hereby to express again my heartfelt gratitude and respect to him.