James Legge

James Legge (1815-1897) was a Scottish sinologist and translator who produced influential English translations of Chinese classical texts, particularly the Confucian classics. His translations became the standard reference works for English-speaking scholars studying Chinese philosophy and literature. As the first Professor of Chinese at Oxford University, Legge made significant contributions to Western understanding of Chinese culture through his work on the Chinese Classics series. His translations included the Analects of Confucius, the works of Mencius, and the Five Classics, which formed a comprehensive collection known as The Chinese Classics. Legge spent 33 years as a missionary in Hong Kong, where he established the Anglo-Chinese College and worked closely with Chinese scholars to ensure accuracy in his translations. His approach combined rigorous scholarship with a deep respect for Chinese intellectual traditions. Beyond his translation work, Legge also made important contributions to the study of Chinese religions, including his translations of Taoist texts and his work The Religions of China. His legacy continues to influence sinology and East-West cultural exchange, with many of his translations remaining in use today.

Readers value Legge's translations for their scholarly rigor and detailed annotations, though some find his Victorian-era English style dense and difficult to follow. His translations of the Chinese Classics receive praise for including both Chinese text and English translations side-by-side. What readers liked: - Comprehensive footnotes and commentary - Inclusion of original Chinese characters - Accuracy and attention to detail - Historical context provided What readers disliked: - Archaic language choices - Complex sentence structures - Christian missionary bias in interpretations - Limited readability for modern audiences On Goodreads, Legge's translations average 4.1/5 stars across various works. His Analects translation rates 4.2/5 from 127 reviews. Amazon reviews (3.9/5 average) frequently mention the academic value but note the challenging prose style. One reviewer wrote: "Invaluable for serious study but not recommended for casual readers." Another noted: "The footnotes alone are worth the price."

The Chinese Classics (5 volumes) - A complete translation of the Four Books and Five Classics of Confucianism, with extensive commentary and annotations.

The Life and Works of Mencius - A detailed translation and analysis of the philosophical works of Mencius, including historical context and interpretations.

The Religions of China - A comprehensive examination of Confucianism, Taoism, and other religious practices in ancient China.

The Sacred Books of China - Translations of key Taoist texts including the Tao Te Ching and religious documents from the Qing Dynasty.

The Texts of Taoism - A two-volume translation of major Taoist works including the writings of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu.

Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms - A translation of Fa-Hien's travel account describing Buddhist countries during the 5th century CE.

The Nestorian Monument - A translation and analysis of the 8th-century stone tablet documenting early Christianity in China.

The Li Ki - A translation of the Classic of Rites, detailing ancient Chinese ceremonial practices and social forms.

The Shu King - A translation of the Book of Historical Documents, one of the Five Classics of ancient Chinese literature.

The Yi King - A translation of the I Ching (Book of Changes), including explanations of its divinatory system.

Herbert Giles translated Chinese classics and wrote extensively about Chinese culture during the late 19th/early 20th centuries. His works include translations of major philosophical texts and a Chinese-English dictionary that scholars still reference.

Arthur Waley produced translations of Chinese and Japanese literature including the Analects of Confucius and The Tale of Genji. His translation style focused on making ancient Asian texts accessible to English readers while maintaining accuracy.

John Blofeld translated Buddhist and Taoist texts and wrote about Chinese spiritual traditions based on his experiences living in China. His works cover similar philosophical and religious ground as Legge's translations of the Chinese classics.

Burton Watson specialized in translating classical Chinese and Japanese literature including works by Chuang Tzu, Han Feizi, and Mo Tzu. His translations aim for directness and clarity in rendering ancient Chinese thought for modern readers.

David Hawkes produced major translations of Chinese poetry and literature including The Story of the Stone. His work shares Legge's scholarly approach to making Chinese classics available to English-speaking audiences.