WALEY, Arthur [translator and editor]. The Analects of Confucius. London: George Allen & Unwin. 1938.
8vo. Original cloth, the earlier variant with lettering in gilt, with dust-wrappers printed in red and black (retaining price); pp. 268, [3]; wrappers minimally spotted, light offsetting from endapers, otherwise fine; printed leaflet by the China Society announcing this book to their members for free loosely inserted.
Very uncommon first edition of Waley's translation of Confucius's words of wisdom, maxims and moral and ethical parables, with the mediaeval interpretations and distortions de-cluttered by the sinologist, and friend of some members of the Bloomsbury Group, and poet Arthur Waley. He tried to reconstruct Confucius' works to the language and clarity of the fifth century BCE. This new translation became a classic, with many reprints for the next 50 years. Confucius' views of society, public service and and conduct still determine the Chinese way of life.
#2121414