This book establishes "Confucian Literature" as a multidisciplinary genre. By breaking down the barriers between literature and philosophy, this book opens the field of Chinese literature to new interpretive methods, and brings Confucian values to readers through literature. The anthology is a selection of 28 literary works-12 poems and 16 prose pieces-by 21 authors from the Tang and Song Dynasties (618-1279). The translations, arranged side by side with the original texts, strive to remain as faithful as possible to the wording of the source material, and conveying its meaning, style, and beauty. The commentary investigates philosophical discourse, locates Confucian values, and points to where literature joins philosophy.

Zu-yan Chen is Professor of Chinese Literature at Binghamton University, State University of New York, where he holds the rank of SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor. He has authored eight books and many articles in the fields of literature, history, philosophy, translation, and language pedagogy.