Wing-tsit Chan (1901–1994)

A very comprehensive look at Chinese philosophy, marred by distracting in-text comments which would have been much better as footnotes. Possibly the most intriguing chapter is the last one, which looks at Chinese philosophy under Commmunism.

Translated and compiled by Wing-tsit Chan, a Harvard PhD. Extracts from Confucius, Mencius, Hsun Tzu,
With an Appendix on "translation" of certain words. For example CHI means subtle force, CH'I means a definite object, and CH'I means material force, including both matter and energy or ether.
Also, a Bibliography, Glossary of Chinese Characters, and a detailed Index.
Confucius (born 551 bc) rarely mentions "spiritual" life, but turns humanism into a driving force. Wishing to be prominent, show more he helped others to prominence.
Mencius, like Confucius, lived in a period of political struggle, moral choas, and intellectual conflicts -- 317 bc. Still, thought human nature was "good". Contemporary of Plato. show less

First received as a text book for a class on Eastern Philosophies at Oklahoma State in 1990, this volume has been an invaluable reference over the years. Admirably encapsulates some fairly impenetrable subject matter.

A great book if you're overwhelmed by the sheer amount and scope of chinese philosophy and you just want to know where to start. It provides a nice spine for further studies.