Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Reynal & Hitchcock (1938), Edition: First Edition, Hardcover, 459 pages
Description
The Importance of Living is a wry, witty antidote to the dizzying pace of the modern world. Lin Yutang's prescription is the classic Chinese philosophy of life: Revere inaction as much as action, invoke humor to maintain a healthy attitude, and never forget that there will always be plenty of fools around who are willing-indeed, eager-to be busy, to make themselves useful, and to exercise power while you bask in the simple joy of existence.At a time when we're overwhelmed with wake-up calls, here is a refreshing, playful reminder to savor life's simple pleasures.
User reviews
LibraryThing member dazzyj
A witty and humane book that ranges in the most relaxed of ways over two millenia of Chinese writing about how we should live. Marred only by a short section containing atavistic views abut women, this is a marvellously refreshing rumination about how to be happy.
LibraryThing member gibbon
In my opinion it is never too early in life for a good reader to read a good book. I read this first when I was hardly more than a child, and though I recall little from that first reading (of the edition published by the admirable "Readers Union") it prompted me to read "Monkey" and Alexandra
Show More
David-Neel at round about the same time. As a result I have had a desultory but lifelong interest in Chinese and Japanese culture. What I do remember from that first reading was Mr Lin's statement that though he had the greatest respect for western technology as applied, for instance, to radios, he had little respect for much of what came over his beautifully working American radio! Returning to his book after sixty years I am struck by the contrast between his reflections on contemporary political events, much of which is now tedious except to specialists because it has become part of accepted history, and his presentation of Chinese philosophers and poets, which has if anything gained in importance. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1937
Physical description
459 p.; 8.5 inches
Local notes
classic bestseller that introduced millions to the noble art of leaving things undone