i The Confucian Four Books for Women ii iii The Confucian Four Books for Women A New Translation of the Nü Sishu and the Commentary of Wang Xiang z Translated with introductions and notes by ANN A. PANG- WHITE 1 iv 1 Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide. Oxford is a registered trade mark of Oxford University Press in the UK and certain other countries. Published in the United States of America by Oxford University Press 198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States of America. © Ann A. Pang-White 2018 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press, or as expressly permitted by law, by license, or under terms agreed with the appropriate reproduction rights organization. Inquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the above should be sent to the Rights Department, Oxford University Press, at the address above. You must not circulate this work in any other form and you must impose this same condition on any acquirer. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Wang, Xiang, active 17th century, writer of added commentary. | Pang-White, Ann A., translator, writer of added commentary. Title: The Confucian Four books for women (Nü sishu) / with commentaries by Wang Xiang and the translator ; translated and edited by Ann A. Pang-White. Other titles: Nü sishu. English Description: New York : Oxford University Press, 2018. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2017042814 (print) | LCCN 2017061371 (ebook) | ISBN 9780190460907 (updf) | ISBN 9780190460914 (epub) | ISBN 9780190460884 (hardback) | ISBN 9780190460891 (paperback) Subjects: LCSH: Women—Conduct of life—Early works to 1800. | Women—China—Conduct of life—Early works to 1800. | Confucian ethics—Early works to 1800. | BISAC: RELIGION / Confucianism. | PHILOSOPHY / Eastern. | HISTORY / Asia / China. Classification: LCC BJ1609 (ebook) | LCC BJ1609 .N813 2018 (print) | DDC 170.82—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017042814 1 3 5 7 9 8 6 4 2 Paperback printed by WebCom, Inc., Canada Hardback printed by Bridgeport National Bindery, Inc., United States of America v Contents Acknowledgments  ix Note on Other Editions and on This Translation  xi Chronology of Chinese Dynasties and Republics  xv Essential Classic Chinese Terms and Corresponding English Translations  xvii Introduction: Uncovering the Confucian Four Books for Women— Why Nü sishu? Why Now?  1 BOOK I. The Han Women: Ban Zhao and the Lessons for Women (Nüjie): c. 45– 117 ce Translator’s Introduction  31 Wang Xiang’s Biographic Introduction  38 Original Preface to Nüjie by Ban Zhao  40 1. The Lowly and the Weak  43 2. Husband and Wife  47 3. Respect and Compliance  50 4 . Women’s Conduct  54 5. One- Mindedness  57 vi vi Contents 6. Conceding Obedience  60 7. Harmony with Younger Brothers- and Sisters- in- Law  63 BOOK II. The Tang Women: The Song Sisters and the Analects for Women (Nü lunyu): ?– 820/8 25 ce Translator’s Introduction  71 Wang Xiang’s Biographic Introduction  78 Original Preface to Nü lunyu by the Song Sisters  81 1. Establishing One’s Person  83 2. Learning the Work  85 3. Learning the Rituals  88 4 . Rising Early  91 5. Serving One’s Parents  94 6 . Serving Parents- in- Law  98 7. Serving One’s Husband  101 8. Instructing Boys and Girls  105 9. Managing the Household  108 1 0. Hosting Guests  111 11. Harmony and Gentleness  114 12. Guarding One’s Integrity  116 BOOK III. The Ming Imperial Women: Empress Renxiaowen and the Teachings for the Inner Court (Neixun): 1361– 1407 ce Translator’s Introduction  121 Wang Xiang’s Biographic Introduction  130 vii Contents vii Original Preface to the Imperial Edition by Empress Renxiaowen  131 1 . Virtuous Nature  137 2 . Self- Cultivation  141 3 . Prudent Speech  144 4 . Careful Conduct  148 5 . Diligence  151 6 . Frugality  154 7 . Watchfulness  158 8. Accumulating Good Deeds  161 9 . Becoming Good  165 10. Revering Sagely Teachings  168 11. Admiring Wise Role Models  172 12. Serving One’s Parents  175 13. Serving One’s Ruler  179 1 4. Serving Parents- in- Law  185 15. Performing Religious Rites  188 1 6. Model Motherhood  192 17. Friendly Relationship with Family Clans  194 18. Benevolent Love for the Young  198 19. Treating Imperial Concubines  201 20. Treating Imperial Consorts’ Maternal Relatives  204 viii viii Contents BOOK IV. The Ming Women: Madame Liu and the Short Records of Models for Women (Nüfan jielu): c. 16th century ce Translator’s Introduction  211 Wang Xiang’s Biographic Introduction  218 1 . Unifying Thesis  220 2 . Queenly Virtues  224 3 . Model Motherhood  231 4 . Filial Conduct  238 5. Chastity and Ardency  246 6. Loyalty and Righteousness  255 7 . Benevolent Love  264 8. Upholding Ritual Propriety  269 9 . Wisdom  275 10. Diligence and Frugality  284 11. Talent and Virtue  288 Appendix: Liu Xiang’s Biographies of Women (Lienü zhuan 《列女傳》) vis-à - vis the Four Books for Women (Nü sishu《女四書》)  295 Bibliography  301 Index  313 ix Acknowledgments This translation and commentary project is a result of many encour- agements and helping hands. I would like to thank my colleagues in the greater Chinese studies and culture community whose inspiring works and encouraging words have been, and continue to be, invaluable to me, as well as the assistance from the editorial and production teams at Oxford University Press (OUP). Especially, I am grateful to Robin R. Wang for her tireless stimulating work on Chinese philosophy, women, and yin- yang, and her encouragement of my pro- jects; and to Cynthia Read, the executive editor of religions at OUP, for her effi- ciency, faith, and unwavering support for this project. My first encounter and interest with the Nü sishu was through my reading of Li- Hsiang Lisa Rosenlee’s Confucianism and Women: A Philosophical Interpretation; for this, I am indebted to her fine work. I am also thankful to the University of Scranton for awarding me a research grant and one- year sabbatical leave; the Institute of Chinese Literature and Philosophy at Academia Sinica for allowing me to access an original copy of the 1885 Zhuangyuange edition of the manuscript; the National Central Library of Taiwan for all the resources it made available; the Chinese Text Project for its amazing array of digital resources; and my husband, David A. White, for his patient proofreading of hundreds of pages of my writings. All these are essential to the completion of this project. I would finally like to thank the five women authors of the Nü sishu for their strong characters and pioneering arguments for women’s education, intelligence, and wisdom. Without their work I would simply not be who I am. Through this translation and commentary project, they are no longer merely historical figures, but have come alive for me.