The Confucian Four Books for Women

A New Translation of the Nü Shishu and the Commentary of Wang Xiang

Translated with introductions and notes by Ann A. Pang-White

First complete English translation of the Confucian Four Books for Women
Reveals the history and evolution of Chinese women's writing, education, identity, and philosophical discourse over a span of 1,600 years
Includes commentary, annotations, and introductions by the original compiler and the translator

The Confucian Four Books for Women

A New Translation of the Nü Shishu and the Commentary of Wang Xiang

Translated with introductions and notes by Ann A. Pang-White

Description

This volume presents the first English translation of the Confucian classics, Four Books for Women, with extensive commentary by the compiler, Wang Xiang, and introductions and annotations by translator Ann A. Pang-White. Written by women for women's education, the Confucian Four Books for Women spanned the 1st to the 16th centuries, and encompass Ban Zhao's Lessons for Women, Song Ruoxin's and Song Ruozhao's Analects for Women, Empress Renxiaowen's Teachings for the Inner Court, and Madame Liu's (Chaste Widow Wang's) Short Records of Models for Women. A female counterpart to the famous Sishu (Four Books) compiled by Zhu Xi, Wang Xiang's Nü sishu provides an invaluable look at the long-standing history and evolution of Chinese women's writing, education, identity, and philosophical discourse, along with their struggles and triumphs, across the millennia and numerous Chinese dynasties. Pang-Whites new translation brings the authors of the Four Books for Women to life as real, living people, and illustrates why they wrote and how their work empowered women.

The Confucian Four Books for Women

A New Translation of the Nü Shishu and the Commentary of Wang Xiang

Translated with introductions and notes by Ann A. Pang-White

Acknowledgements
Note on Editions, Commentaries, and Translation
Chronology of Chinese Dynasties
Essential Classic Chinese Terms with Corresponding English Translation
Introduction: Uncovering the Confucian Four Books for Women: Why Nü sishu? Why Now?
I. The Han Women: Ban Zhao and the Lessons for Women (c. 45-117)
Introduction
Wang Xiang's Biographic Introduction of Ban Zhao
Original Preface to This Work by Ban Zhao
Chapter 1 The Lowly and the Weak
Chapter 2 Husband and Wife
Chapter 3 Respect and Compliance
Chapter 4 Women's Conduct
Chapter 5 One-Mindedness
Chapter 6 Conceding Obedience
Chapter 7 Harmony with Younger Brothers-and-Sisters-in-Law
II. The Tang Women: The Song Sisters and the Analects for Women (?-820/825)
Introduction
Wang Xiang's Biographic Introduction of the Song Sisters
Original Preface to This Work by the Song Sisters
Chapter 1 Establishing One's Person
Chapter 2 Learning the Work
Chapter 3 Learning the Rituals
Chapter 4 Rising Early
Chapter 5 Serving One's Parents
Chapter 6 Serving Parents-in-Law
Chapter 7 Serving One's Husband
Chapter 8 Instructing Boys and Girls
Chapter 9 Managing the Household
Chapter 10 Hosting Guests
Chapter 11 Harmony and Gentleness
Chapter 12 Guarding One's Integrity
III. The Ming Imperial Women: Empresses Renxiaowen and the Teachings for the Inner Court (1361-1407)
Introduction
Wang Xiang's Biographic Introduction of Empress Renxiaowen
Original Preface to this Work by Empress Renxiaowen
Chapter 1 Virtuous Nature
Chapter 2 Self-Cultivation
Chapter 3 Prudent Speech
Chapter 4 Careful Conduct
Chapter 5 Diligence
Chapter 6 Frugality
Chapter 7 Watchfulness
Chapter 8 Accumulating Good Deeds
Chapter 9 Becoming Good
Chapter 10 Revering Sagely Teachings
Chapter 11 Admiring Wise Role Models
Chapter 12 Serving One's Parents
Chapter 13 Serving One's Ruler
Chapter 14 On Serving Parents-in-Law
Chapter 15 Performing Religious Rites
Chapter 16 Model Motherhood
Chapter 17 Friendly Relationship with Family Clans
Chapter 18 Benevolent Love for the Young
Chapter 19 Treating Imperial Concubines
Chapter 20 Treating Imperial Consorts' Maternal Relatives
IV. The Ming Women: Madame Liu and the Short Records of Models for Women (c. 16th century)
Introduction
Wang Xiang's Biographic Introduction of His Mother, Madame Liu
Chapter 1 Unifying Thesis
Chapter 2 Queenly Virtues
Chapter 3 Model Motherhood
Chapter 4 Filial Conduct
Chapter 5 Chastity and Ardency
Chapter 6 Loyalty and Righteousness
Chapter 7 Benevolent Love
Chapter 8 Upholding Ritual Propriety
Chapter 9 Wisdom
Chapter 10 Diligence and Frugality
Chapter 11 Talent and Virtue
Appendix: Liu Xiang's Biographies of Women vis-à-vis Wang Xiang's Four Books for Women: Comparative Timelines and Categories of Women's Virtue
Bibliography
Index

The Confucian Four Books for Women

A New Translation of the Nü Shishu and the Commentary of Wang Xiang

Translated with introductions and notes by Ann A. Pang-White

Author Information

Translated with introductions and notes by Ann A. Pang-White, Professor of Philosophy, University of Scranton

Ann A. Pang-White is Professor of Philosophy and Founding Director of Asian Studies at the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania. She is the editor of Bloomsbury Research Handbook of Chinese Philosophy and Gender (2016) and the author of over a dozen articles on Chinese and comparative philosophy as well as medieval philosophy.

The Confucian Four Books for Women

A New Translation of the Nü Shishu and the Commentary of Wang Xiang

Translated with introductions and notes by Ann A. Pang-White

Reviews and Awards

"Pang-White's translation is a must read for anyone who has interest in studying the compatibility between Confucianism and feminist philosophy. It also provides valuable resources for scholars working in both feminism and Chinese philosophy." - Lili Zhang, Dao

"Ann Pang-White's recent work, The Confucian Four Books for Women: A New Translation of the Nü Sishu and the Commentary of Wang Xiang, is a gift for Anglophone scholarship on Chinese philosophy and religion. It is also a major step for feminist reclamation...As it stands, the text is an incredible resource to both scholars and teachers, and I hope to see many using it to reread and reappropriate Confucian canons in new and interesting ways." - Sarah Mattice, University of North Florida, Reading Religion

"Pang-White has truly done a superb job here. This first complete translation...is not to be missed in any serious collection on Confucianism and premodern East Asian/Chinese culture." - Lukas Pokorny, University of Vienna, Religious Studies Review

"Pang-White's new translation is an admirable acheivement. It is significant to the field because of its historical value as well as the value to contemporary feminist discourse suggested by Pang-White." - Guotong Li, California State University, Long Beach, Journal of Chinese Religions

"With this complete translation of the Four Books for Women, Ann A. Pang-White fills a longstanding and embarrassing gap in Western literature on traditional China. Her decision to include the commentary by the late-Ming literatus Wang Xiang adds immensely to the collection by affording a glimpse of its reception at the turn of the seventeenth century. The texts are preceded by Pang-White's thoughtful and evenhanded discussion of not only their historical value, but also their place in contemporary feminist discourse." - Paul R. Goldin, Professor of Chinese Thought, University of Pennsylvania, author of Confucianism