by Sue-Tzu
It might be helpful to consider what other works of “philosophical Taoism” were written during those years. There are only two extant, the Wen-tzu and the Huainan-tzu, both written during the Early Han Dynasty, probably sometime in the Second Century B.C.E. Though distinct from each other, they clearly share a derivative character vis-à-vis the aforementioned classics.
In this regard, the Book of Chen Jen might also be called derivative, though in a much different manner. Whereas the Wen-tzu might best be described as long-winded and pedantic, the Chen Jen has pared the message down to its barest bones.
And while the Huainan-tzu waxes expansive and metaphysical, the Chen Jen remains innocent of metaphysical pronouncements. It is so unlike these two, in fact, that had it been found in a more ambiguous location, I would wish to assign it to a much later era. The fact is, however, that not only the location of its discovery, but the very character of its Chinese, place it squarely in the era of the Han Dynasty or earlier.
What, then, of the author? Needless to say, there have been a great many more theories than substance to found them. We have records of philosophical Taoists from that era and mention of their works, now lost. This provides the most fertile ground for speculation as to who our author might be. I cannot, myself, put trust in any of these theories and so little is known about the men themselves, in any case, that to try to make one the author seems pointless. And so, I will leave it there. The reader may wish to pursue the inquiry in other publications.
I have said ‘author’, because though there are two distinct “books”, they are clearly the work of one hand. Though they differ substantially in format, that they share the same philosophy will be obvious to the casual reader. For the translator, who wrestles with their vocabulary and style, there can be no question there was but one author of both.
...The Wanderings, though much more lyrical, would appear to be an attempt to restate and exemplify the teachings of the Sayings, which it frequently quotes. If, as Chen Jen says, "one’s teaching is one’s life," then the Wanderings are a logical step in the expression of those teachings. And though they are not the life itself and thus can only be a dim reflection of those teachings, they are, as our author has Tzu-yu proclaim, worthy of the attempt.
In closing, I feel compelled, however reluctantly, to remind the reader that things are not always what they seem or are proclaimed to be. As to the authorship and antiquity of this work, perhaps it really was written by your local green grocer.
Does it matter?
In this regard, the Book of Chen Jen might also be called derivative, though in a much different manner. Whereas the Wen-tzu might best be described as long-winded and pedantic, the Chen Jen has pared the message down to its barest bones.
And while the Huainan-tzu waxes expansive and metaphysical, the Chen Jen remains innocent of metaphysical pronouncements. It is so unlike these two, in fact, that had it been found in a more ambiguous location, I would wish to assign it to a much later era. The fact is, however, that not only the location of its discovery, but the very character of its Chinese, place it squarely in the era of the Han Dynasty or earlier.
What, then, of the author? Needless to say, there have been a great many more theories than substance to found them. We have records of philosophical Taoists from that era and mention of their works, now lost. This provides the most fertile ground for speculation as to who our author might be. I cannot, myself, put trust in any of these theories and so little is known about the men themselves, in any case, that to try to make one the author seems pointless. And so, I will leave it there. The reader may wish to pursue the inquiry in other publications.
I have said ‘author’, because though there are two distinct “books”, they are clearly the work of one hand. Though they differ substantially in format, that they share the same philosophy will be obvious to the casual reader. For the translator, who wrestles with their vocabulary and style, there can be no question there was but one author of both.
...The Wanderings, though much more lyrical, would appear to be an attempt to restate and exemplify the teachings of the Sayings, which it frequently quotes. If, as Chen Jen says, "one’s teaching is one’s life," then the Wanderings are a logical step in the expression of those teachings. And though they are not the life itself and thus can only be a dim reflection of those teachings, they are, as our author has Tzu-yu proclaim, worthy of the attempt.
In closing, I feel compelled, however reluctantly, to remind the reader that things are not always what they seem or are proclaimed to be. As to the authorship and antiquity of this work, perhaps it really was written by your local green grocer.
Does it matter?
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