“Confucius taught that ‘virtue is never solitary; it always has neighbors.’ (4.25). Based on the best modern and traditional Chinese and Western scholarship, Edward Slingerland’s exemplary new translation of the Analects—including selections from the traditional commentaries on each passage of the text—is a welcome edition. Contemporary readers will be enlightened as to what Confucius taught his disciples and will share the experience of being a neighbor to all the generations of students who have pondered the sometimes cryptic and enigmatic words of Confucius. Slingerland’s use of commentary gives readers a fighting chance at understanding and appreciating this foundational Confucian classic.”

“This work not only exemplifies meticulous research and scrupulous craft of translation, it also offers a new perspective for Analects scholarship and a new model for Analects translation. Edward Slingerland should be congratulated for providing such an invaluable service to American college students as well as the scholarly community at large. There is much for us to learn from this new translation, and we are all indebted to its author.”

“Edward Slingerland’s new translation of the Confucian Analects is something that we have long needed: an accurate, lucid rendition paired with helpful explanations and reference material, including selections from the most important traditional commentaries. General readers and students will find no more accessible, reliable entree to this difficult and seminal text. This new Analects is an extraordinary contribution and should by rights become the preferred starting-point for English-language readers.”

“This is now one of the best translations of the Analects for students. The translator’s philosophical training is evident throughout, yet he does not impose Western ideas and modes of discourse where they are unwarranted. Another useful—and unique—feature of this translation is the inclusion of a generous and accurate selection of traditional commentary for each passage of the canon.”