呂氏春秋

 

　　This is a complete translation of Lius Commentaries ofHistory (Lu Shi Chun Qiu), an ancient classic compiled in 239 B.C. by Lu Buwei, the Prime Minister of the state of Qin, who collected and arranged the writings of his "house guests" or followers into a book. The writings represented his ideas and aimed to serve as a guide to government for the Qin ruler. Dealing with a wide range of subjects in more than 20(3,000 words, the book is one of the longest of the early Chinese classics and an encyclopedic compendium of early Chinese thought and civilization.

Introduction
Part One Records
I．Records of Early Spring
Early Spring
The Foundation of Life
Attaching Importance to Self
Attaching Importance to Impartiality
Doing Away with Selfishness

II．Records of Mid-Sprig
Mid-Spring
Valuing Life
Desires
Dyeing Properly
Fame

III．Records of Late spring
Late Spring
Completing the Natural Span of Life
Beginning with Self
Judging a Person
The Circular Way

IV．Records of Early Summer
Early Summer
Encouraging Learning
Respecting the Teacher
Misleading Students
Relying on the Multitude

V．Records of Mid．Summer
Mid-Summer
Great Music
Extravagant Music
Harmonious Music
Ancient Music

VI．Records of Late Summer
Late Summer
Musical Pitches
The Origin of Music
Composing Music
Knowing the Reason

VII．Records of Early Autumn
Early Autumn
Fighting Wars
Clearing Away Confusion
Preventing Blockage
Possessing a Loving Heart

ⅥII．Records of Mid-Autumn
Mid-Autumn
On Power
Choosing the Best
Deciding Victory
Loving the People

IX．Records of Late Autumn
Late Autumn
Complying with the Will of the People
Knowing the Scholars
Examining Oneself
Communion of Vital Energy

X．Records of Early Winter
Early Winter
Preventing Funeral Excesses
Giving Peace to the Dead
Different Treasures
Difference in the use of Things

XI．Records of Mid．Winter
Mid-Winter
The Utmost Loyalty
Loyalty and Selflessness
Conforming to the Actual Situation
To Be Farsighted

XII．Records of Late Winter
Late Winter
The Integrity of Scholars
A100fness
The Deepest Sincerity
Indomitability
Postscript

Part Two View$
I．Views on the Beginning
The Beginning
Communion Between the Same Kind
Freeing Oneself from Bias
Listening to Opinions
Listening Carefully
Attending to the Basics
Aiming High

II．Views on Filial Piety
Filial Piety
Original Flavors
Biding Ones Time
Giving Fair Reward
To Be Successful
Importance of Human Factors
Meeting the Right Person
Relying on Oneself

III．Views on Caution Against Greatness
Caution Against Greatness
Weighing the Advantages
Courtesy Toward Virtue and Learning
Repayment
Smooth Persuasion
Never Relaxing Ones Own Efforts
The Importance of Objective Conditions
Studying the Present

IV．Views on Foresight
Foresight
Surveying the World
The Reach of Intelligence
Repentance
Enjoying Success
Studying Detail
Rooting Out Bias
……
V．Views on Division of D
VI．Views on Careful Response
VII．Views on Rising Above the Worldly
III．Views on Being a Ruler
Part There Comments
I．Comments on the Beginning Spring
II．Comments on Cautious Conduct
III．Comments on Valuing Forthright Words
IV．Comments on Discretion
V．Comments on Being Seemingly Right
VI．Comments on a Scholars Style
Notes