Lu Jia's New Discourses: A Political Manifesto from the Early Han Dynasty

Translators: 
Paul Goldin and Elisa Levi Sabattini

Publisher:
Brill

Publication date:
January 2020

Abstract:
Lu Jia's New Discourses: A Political Manifesto from the Early Han Dynasty is a readable yet accurate translation by Paul R. Goldin and Elisa Levi Sabattini. Celebrated as “a man-of-service with a mouth [skilled] at persuasion”, Lu Jia (c. 228-140 BCE) became one of the leading figures of the early Han dynasty, serving as a statesman and diplomat from the very beginning of the Han empire. This book is a translation of Lu Jia’s New Discourses, which laid out the reasons for rise and fall of empires. Challenged by the new Emperor to produce a book explaining why a realm that was conquered on horseback cannot also be ruled on horseback, Lu Jia produced New Discourses, to great acclaim.

Table of Contents:
Historical and Intellectual Context
Lu Jia and the New Discourses
Xinyu and its Editions
Our Principles of Translation and Annotation
Translations into Western languages
New Discourses 新語
The Foundation of the Way 道基
Recounting [Past] Events 術事
Assisting in Government 輔政
Non-Action 無為
Resolving Delusion 辨惑
Attention to the Subtle 慎微
Aides of Quality 資質
Utmost Virtue 至德
Embracing [Consistent] Thoughts 懷慮
Acting on the [Right] Basis 本行
Perceptible Warnings 明誡
Thinking of One's Responsibilities 思務