The Lunyu with Collected Commentaries 論語集注 was published in 1190 by Zhu Xi as one of the “Four Books.” It is written in the standard interlinear commentary style in which the verse is broken up with commentaries inserted between each line. In this translation each original Lunyu 論語 verse is presented without interruption, and in the quasi-poetry form that adheres to the original text, allowing the reader to first experience it in its entirety.
After presenting the complete verse, it is broken down line by line with the Collected Commentaries 集注 from Zhu Xi. These include insights from many renowned thinkers of the Song Dynasty, during which the three teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism met with a “Great Synthesis.” Additionally, many verses feature summary-level commentary, marked by the separator “⚬⚬⚬”. This is intended to help the learner unify all preceding analysis into a singular clarity of thought.
Zhu Xi also provides eloquent definitions of terms, a practice for which he is quite famous. In the original text, these definitions are inserted after each verse line and before its corresponding commentary. However, as these definitions inform the translator, they are integrated directly into this translation or enclosed in parentheses to convey Zhu Xi’s exact meaning. In addition, I have included his definitions in full, grouped together in the footnotes.
One other thing I should note is that to translate this text one must read the Collected Conversations of Master Zhu 朱子語類, in which we find the recorded lectures at his academies. It was through questions from his students, which also answer our modern questions, that Zhu learned to write this commentary so clearly and concisely. At the end of each verse I have included one insight given to his students, presented in italics.
What follows is the full text of Volume One, now translated into English for the first time. It is conventionally known by its first two characters: Xue er 學而 (“Learn And”). This edition however has been retitled Fundamentals of the Way 道本, which comes from Zhu Xi’s more descriptive introduction. It is presented intentionally without translator commentary to allow the unmatched traditional commentary to stand on its own, as it has so ably done for over 800 years.
-Sol 솔