The Columbia University Course in Literature

'The Wisdom of the East' serves as a comprehensive survey of the profound literary and philosophical traditions that have shaped the Eastern world. As part of an expansive curriculum on world literature, this volume brings together a curated selection of foundational texts, poetry, and prose from diverse ancient civilizations, including those of China, India, Japan, Persia, and Arabia.This collection offers readers a deep dive into the spiritual and ethical frameworks of the East, exploring the teachings of figures such as Confucius and the Buddha alongside the lyrical beauty of Persian verse and the strategic insights of classical treatises. The work emphasizes the historical and cultural significance of these writings, illustrating how they have influenced global thought and remain relevant to a contemporary understanding of the human experience. By presenting these diverse voices in a single volume, 'The Wisdom of the East' facilitates a comparative study of universal themes such as virtue, nature, and the quest for enlightenment.Whether for the student of comparative literature or the general reader seeking a broader perspective on the world’s intellectual heritage, this volume remains an essential guide to the enduring legacy of Eastern thought and its contribution to the global canon of literature.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.