The Commentarial Strategies of “Jie Lao” (Explaining the Laozi)

Abstract

“Jie Lao” (Explaining the Laozi) is a chapter of the Hanfeizi and an early example of the genre of philosophical commentary. The commentator explains and analyses the Laozi’s propositions and simultaneously, on their basis, develops another set of teachings. He activates the term pattern (li) to design ways for putting the Laozi’s Dao to practical use. The article documents the contrast between both commentarial strategies. It thereby throws some light on an early stage of China’s long tradition of commentarial writings.