Nov 15, 2010 © Ulrich Theobald
Qianfulun 潛夫論 "Comments of a recluse" is a philosophical and political treatise written during the Later Han period 後漢 (25-220 CE) by Wang Fu 王符 (83-170 CE), courtesy name Jiexin 節信, from Linjing 臨涇 (today's Zhenyuan 鎮原, Gansu). Wang did not want to climb the ladder of an official career but preferred to live a life in retirement as a recluse scholar (qianfu 潛夫), hence the name of his book. The Qianfulun has a length of 36 chapters, which are arranged in 10 juan.
The book criticises much of the common social values of his time. Instead, Wang Fu stressed, the true man had to look for the basics and not for decorations, and he had to live a life of austerity. A ruler had to respect his people and should push down the arbitrariness of local administrators. The emperor should select worthy advisors and smash the power of the local magnates and the mighty families. In the sphere of metaphysics, Wang Fu believed that a common, originary breath (yuanqi 元氣) was penetrating all things on earth, including humans.
The Qing-period 清 (1644-1911) scholar Wang Jipei 汪繼培 (jinshi degree 1805) wrote the commentary Qianfulun jian 潛夫論箋.
The most important edition of the Qianfulun is that in the series Sibu congkan 四部叢刊. In 1979, the Zhonghua Shuju Press 中華書局 published a modern edition, including a commentary written by Zhao Duo 趙鐸.
There is a partial translation by Margaret J. Pearson. 1989. Wang Fu and the Comments of a Recluse. Tempe: Center for Asian Studies; and studies by Anne Behnke. 1986. The Discourse of an Obscure Man: A Study of Han Lun. PhD diss. University of Michigan; and Lily Hwa. 1981. translation of Wang Fu, chapter "Social Relations", in Patricia Ebrey, ed. 1981. Chinese Civilization and Society: A Sourcebook. New York: The Free Press.
Table 1. Contents of the Qianfulun 潛夫論
| 1.讚學 |
Zanxue |
In praise of learning (Pearson) |
| 2. |
務本 |
Wuben |
Attending to the basics (Pearson) |
| 3. |
遏利 |
Eli |
Repressing greed |
| 4. |
論榮 |
Lunrong |
On glory |
| 5. |
賢難 |
Xiannan |
Difficulties of worthies |
| 6. |
明闇 |
Ming'an |
On clear sight and blindness |
| 7. |
考績 |
Kaoji |
Examining merit |
| 8. |
思賢 |
Sixian |
Thinking of worthies (Pearson) |
| 9. |
本政 |
Benzheng |
The basis of government (Pearson) |
| 10. |
潛歎 |
Qiantan |
The problem of dissimulation |
| 11. |
忠貴 |
Zhonggui |
Valuing loyalty (Pearson) |
| 12. |
浮侈 |
Fuyi |
On excessive luxury (Pearson) |
| 13. |
慎微 |
Shenwei |
On scrupulous attention to details (Behnke, PhD) |
| 14. |
實貢 |
Shigong |
On recommendations of substance (Pearson) |
| 15. |
班祿 |
Banlu |
On salaries |
| 16. |
述赦 |
Shushe |
Amnesties (Pearson) |
| 17. |
三式 |
Sanshi |
Three models (Pearson) |
| 18. |
愛日 |
Airi |
On the grudging of days (Pearson) |
| 19. |
斷訟 |
Duansong |
On concluding litigation |
| 20. |
衰制 |
Aizhi |
Declining order |
| 21. |
勸將 |
Quanjiang |
On generals' powers |
| 22. |
救邊 |
Jiubian |
On the defence of frontiers |
| 23. |
邊議 |
Bianyi |
On frontier problems |
| 24. |
實邊 |
Shibian |
On the population of frontier areas |
| 25. |
卜列 |
Bulie |
On divination (Behnke) |
| 26. |
正列 |
Zhenglie |
On witchcraft (Behnke) |
| 27. |
相列 |
Xianglie |
On physiognomy (Behnke) |
| 28. |
夢列 |
Menglie |
On the interpretation of dreams (Behnke) |
| 29. |
釋難 |
Shinan |
Elucidation of some difficulties |
| 30. |
交際 |
Jiaoji |
On social relationships (Hwa) |
| 31. |
明忠 |
Mingzhong |
On the ruler's enlightenment and his officials' loyalty |
| 32. |
本訓 |
Benxun |
Instruction on the roots (Pearson and Behnke) |
| 33. |
德化 |
Dehua |
On the transforming power of virtue (Behnke) |
| 34. |
五德志 |
Wudezhi |
On the virtues and goals of the Five Emperors |
| 35. |
志氏姓 |
Zhishixing |
On the names of clans and families |
| 36. |
敘錄 |
Xulu |
Summary |
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