Chuang Tzu: Mystic, Moralist, and Social Reformer

Only one previous attempt has been made to place Zhuangzi original: "Chuang Tzŭ" in the hands of English readers.¹ In that case, the translator's knowledge of the Chinese language was far too elementary to justify such an attempt.²

¹ The Divine Classic of Nanhua original: "Nan-hua". By Frederic Henry Balfour, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society original: "F.R.G.S.", Shanghai and London, 1881.

² One example will be enough. In chapter 23 original: "ch. xxiii" (see page 309) there occurs a short sentence which means, "A one-legged man discards ornament, as his outward appearance is not worthy of praise original: "commendation"."
Mr. Balfour translated this as follows: "Servants will tear up a portrait, not liking to be confronted with its beauties and its defects."