Chuang Tzu: Mystic, Moralist, and Social Reformer

...accepted meaning original: "value" of terms, and classify the works of Aristotle among the "sacred" books of the Greeks. Zhuangzi original: "Chuang Tzŭ" was hardly the founder of a school. He was not a prophet, as Laozi original: "Lao Tzŭ" was, nor can he fairly be said to have ever been regarded by true Taoists as such.

Many centuries later, when the light of Laozi’s real teachings had long been hidden original: "obscured", a foolish emperor gave original: "conferred upon" Zhuangzi’s work the title of Holy Canon of Nanhua.¹ But this was done only to give the foolish practices original: "follies" of that age the authority original: "sanction" of a great name. Furthermore, the supposed work of Liezi original: "Lieh Tzŭ" and many other similar forgeries have also been equally honored. Consequently, if works like these are to be included among the Sacred Books of the East, then China alone will be able to provide enough material for translation to last for the next few centuries.

Partly out of necessity, and partly to spare the general reader, I have moved original: "relegated" all textual and critical notes that use Chinese characters to a supplement. This supplement will be published as soon as possible after my return to China. It will not be an essential part of this current work, as it is intended only to help students of the language verify the translations original: "renderings" I have chosen to use here. As a compromise, I have provided a kind of running commentary, placed within the body of the text according to the Chinese system. I hope that this will enable anyone to understand the meaning of Zhuangzi’s references original: "allusions" and to follow arguments that are usually subtle and often difficult to understand original: "obscure".

¹ In 742 AD During the Tang Dynasty, under Emperor Xuanzong.