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One of the most important texts in the literature of Buddhism, the Jataka contains stories that celebrate the previous lives of the Buddha. The future Buddha may appear in these "jatakas" as a king, an outcast, a god, an elephant  but in whatever form he takes, he exhibits some virtue which the tale then proceeds to inculcate in the reader.This superb selection of 47 stories of the Buddha  among them "The Bar of Gold Jataka," "The King's Lesson Jataka," "The Gem-Thief Jataka," and "The Great Ape Jataka"  are filled with humor, pathos, and narrative appeal that have endeared them to generations of Buddhists and to audiences around the world. Many are directly related to ancient Indian folklore and top the traditional stories and myths of other cultures, among them the beast fables of Aesop. Many have been the subject of countless works of Buddhist art.Although the settings of the stories are often imaginary, they offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts of Buddhism and Buddhist culture and society. This collection has been edited and translated by one of the most distinguished Western scholars of Buddhism, Caroline A. F. Rhys Davids, who has contributed a lively introductory essay to these landmarks of folk literature.

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"There is no more eloquent, interesting or persuasive exposition of what may be called science of philosophy than Sir James Jeans's."  The New York TimesCan we have any knowledge of the world outside us other than we gain by the methods of science? Are we humans endowed with free will, or are we mere cogs in a vast machine that must follow its predestined course until it finally runs down? Is the world we perceive the world of ultimate reality, or is it only a curtain veiling a deeper reality beyond?In this strikingly lucid and often poetic book, one of the twentieth century's greatest scientists grapples with these age-old questions, achieving in the process a brilliant and non-technical exposition of the interrelationship between physics and philosophy. He begins by defining physics and philosophy, pointing out the difference in their respective attempts to explain physical reality and man's place in it. This discussion paves the way for an outline of epistemological methods in which the rationalism of thinkers like Descartes, Leibniz, and Kant is compared to the empiricism of Locke and Hume.Over the course of the book, in a manner that is careful and methodic but never dull, Jeans marshals the evidence for his startling conclusion: recent discoveries in astronomy, mathematics, sub-atomic physics, and other disciplines have washed away the scientific basis of many older philosophic discussions. Such long-standing problems as causality, free will and determinism, the nature of space and time, materialism and mentalism must be considered anew in the light of new knowledge and information attained by twentieth-century physical science. Even then, however, Jeans cautions against drawing any positive conclusions, pointing out that both physics and philosophy are both relatively young and that we are still in Newton's words, like children playing with pebbles on the sea-shore, while the great ocean of truth rolls, unexplored, beyond our reach.Although first published in 1943, nothing in physics has happened to affect Jeans's account in this book; it remains remarkably fresh and undated, a classic exposition of the philosophical implications of scientific knowledge.

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In 1950, experts at Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine voted on the best detective stories ever written, and the result was this dazzling dozen. Two of the choicesEdgar Allan Poe's "The Purloined Letter" and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Red-Headed League"were regarded by their authors as their finest short stories. The remaining tales offer similarly high levels of excitement and mystery. Featured stories include G. K. Chesterton's "The Invisible Man," from The Innocence of Father Brown; "Suspicion" by Dorothy L. Sayers; Aldous Huxley's "The Gioconda Smile"; and "The Hands of Mr. Ottermole" by Thomas Burke. Additional tales include "The Avenging Chance" by Anthony Berkeley; "The Absent-Minded Coterie" by Robert Barr; Jacques Futrelle's "The Problem of Cell 13"; Melville D. Post's "Naboths Vineyard"; "The Yellow Slugs" by H. C. Bailey; and E. C. Bentley's "The Genuine Tabard."

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In this, his most famous and influential work, Carl Jung made a dramatic break from the psychoanalytic tradition established by his mentor, Sigmund Freud. Rather than focusing on psychopathology and its symptoms, the Swiss psychiatrist studied dreams, mythology, and literature to define the universal patterns of the psyche.In Psychology of the Unconscious, Jung seeks a symbolic meaning and purpose behind a given set of symptoms, placing them within the larger context of the psyche. The 1912 text examines the fantasies of a patient whose poetic and vivid mental images helped Jung redefine libido as psychic energy, arising from the unconscious and manifesting itself consciously in symbolic form. Jung's commentary on his patient's fantasies offers a complex study of symbolic psychiatry and foreshadows his development of the theory of collective unconscious and its constituents, the archetypes.The author's role in the development of analytical psychology, a therapeutic process that promotes creativity and psychological development, makes this landmark in psychoanalytic methodology required reading for students and others interested in the practice and process of psychology.

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In this landmark of Christian mysticism, the revered Carmelite nun presents moving accounts of her profound religious experiences and ultimate union with God. St. Teresa wrote this memoir at the behest of her confessor. It offers a warm, accessible account of her transformation into an impassioned leader and reformer of church doctrine.St. Teresa recounts her childhood and education in sixteenth-century Spain, her physical afflictions and spiritual crises, her many visions and mystical encounters, and her determination to embrace the contemplative life. In describing the ascent of the soul, she explains the core of her theology as a four-stage process that progresses from mental prayer to divine rapture. Next to Don Quixote, this timeless work constitutes Spain's most popular prose classic. It forms an excellent introduction to the saint's other writings and to the Christian tradition of mystical literature.

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Families who love an old-fashioned Christmas will adore this vintage book of holiday verse. Whimsical illustrations of Santa Claus, cherubic children, and adorable pets grace every page. A dozen enchanting poems include "The Plum Pudding," "The Twin Snowmen," "Under the Mistletoe," "At the Tabbykin's Ball," and other seasonal verses.This loving reproduction of an original 1920 edition is printed on heavy paper to ensure that it will last for many holiday seasons. A lovely gift book and a fine collector's item for lovers of antique books and fans of vintage Christmas memorabilia, it is certain to become a treasured Christmas keepsake.

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"A Visit from St. Nicholas" first appeared as an anonymous holiday poem in a New York newspaper in 1823. Since then, it has become better known by its first line  and it has defined the image of Santa Claus and his most familiar traits, from his snowy beard and chubby cheeks to the names of his reindeer.Ready to delight a whole new generation, this luminous facsimile of a sought-after 1917 edition abounds in nostalgic charm. Its fourteen enchanting illustrations by a beloved artist appear in a faithful, large-format reproduction with heavy pages that will last for many holiday seasons. An ideal holiday gift, this volume will be treasured by collectors of antique books and vintage Christmas memorabilia

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Did God create man? Or did man create God? Famed German philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach explores the answer in this, his most influential work, published in German in 1841 and translated by celebrated English novelist George Eliot. Using Biblical references, dialectics, and ideas from some of the world's greatest thinkers, he confronts believers with his cogent explanation.Approaching religion from a humanistic perspective, Feuerbach explores the idea that divinity is an outward projection of our idealistic human nature. Asserting that nothing is higher than the perfection found in mankind, he proposes that a Supreme Being was created by man seeking comfort and relief from a hostile world, challenging tenets of Christianity from creation and the resurrection to faith and miracles. Feuerbach's critique of Hegelian idealism excited immediate international attention  influencing Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, and Friedrich Engels in particular. Thought-provoking and utterly compelling, this historically significant polemic is must reading for lifelong students of religion and philosophy.

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The final published book by Nobel Prize-winning author and philosopher Henri Bergson (18591941), La pensee et le mouvant (translated here as The Creative Mind), is a masterly autobiography of his philosophical method. Through essays and lectures written between 1903 and 1923, Bergson retraces how and why he became a philosopher, and crafts a fascinating critique of philosophy itself. Until it leaves its false paths, he demonstrates, philosophy will remain only a wordy dialectic that surmounts false problems.With masterful skill and intensity, Bergson shows that metaphysics and science must be rooted in experience for philosophy to become a genuine search for truth. And in the quest for unanswered questions, the spiritual dimension of human life and the importance of intuition must be emphasized. A source of inspiration for physicists as well as philosophers, Bergson's introduction to metaphysics reveals a philosophy that is always on the move, blending man's spiritual drive with his mastery of the material world.

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"The best book on this subject that I have so far read; it genuinely does what its title implies."  Philosophical Books"Should be of great help in dispelling some of the mystery that surrounds the subject."  Review of MetaphysicsAt one time or another almost everyone has reflected upon the major existentialist themes: the sources of despair and suffering, the triumph over adversity, the nature and limits of reason, the encounter of the individual with other humans and with society, authenticity, death, and freedom. This book is for serious readers for whom previous accounts have been either too impressionistic or too limited in scope, and who wish to approach the original texts with perspective and critical understanding. Although this is a first-rate work of scholarship, no previous training in philosophy is required of the reader. The topical treatment introduces not only the existentialist position on each topic but also supporting arguments, historical context, and the line of criticism adopted by contemporary philosophers who oppose the existentialist stand. Readers will also be rewarded with a good knowledge of individual representatives of the movement, particularly Sartre and Heidegger.

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"Offers dazzling observations of human psychology, social interaction, esthetics and religion."New York Times Book ReviewWith Human, All-Too-Human, Nietzsche challenges the metaphysical and psychological assumptions behind his previous works. The philosopher reviews his usual subjectsmorality, religion, government, societywith his characteristic depth of perception, unflinching honesty, and iconoclastic wit. His manner of expression, however, takes a new turn.More than 1,400 incisive and poetic aphorisms appear here. Subtitled "A Book for Free Spirits," this volume marks the author's first use of the aphoristic approach, which he retained in his subsequent writings and elevated to new heights. The style is particularly suited to this book, which rejects overly systematic thinking and conventional wisdom, anticipating both existentialism and post-modernism. Many themes of Nietzsche's later works first appeared here, making Human, All-Too-Human fundamental to an understanding of the author's thought.

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Friedrich Nietzsche, J. M. Kennedy, Helen Zimmern, Paul V. Cohn

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Philosopher, physician, and master of rabbinical literature, Moses ben Maimon (1135-1204) strove to reconcile biblical revelation with medieval Aristotelianism. His writings, especially the celebrated Guide for the Perplexed, exercised considerable influence on both Jewish and Christian scholasticism and brought him lasting renown as one of the greatest medieval thinkers.This volume contains his most significant ethical works, newly translated from the original sources by Professors Raymond L. Weiss and Charles E. Butterworth, well-known Maimonides scholars. Previous translations have often been inadequate  either because they were not based on the best possible texts or from a lack of precision. That deficiency has been remedied in this text; the translations are based on the latest scholarship and have been made with a view toward maximum accuracy and readability. Moreover, the long "Letter to Joseph" has been translated into English for the first time.This edition includes the following selections:I. Laws Concerning Character Traits (complete)II. Eight Chapters (complete)III. On the Management of HealthIV. Letter to JosephV. Guide of the PerplexedVII. The Days of the MessiahTaken as a whole, this collection presents a comprehensive and revealing overview of Maimonides' thought regarding the relationship of revelation and reason in the sphere of ethics. Here are his teachings concerning "natural law," secular versus religious authority, the goals of moral conduct, diseases of the soul, the application of logic to ethical matters, and the messianic era. Throughout, the great sage is concerned to reconcile the apparent divergence between biblical teachings and Greek philosophy.

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The age-old legends and tales of Nordic mythology are a common heritage of German, Scandinavian, and Anglo-Saxon peoples. This very readable collection features a rich selection of these time-honored stories, retold in simple dramatic fashion by noted Irish author Padraic Colum.Readers will find themselves drawn into the timeless world of the gods and goddesses who dwell in Asgard, a magical realm reached by a rainbow bridge. Here unfold the exciting stories of how Frey won Gerda, the Giant Maiden, and how he lost his magic sword; how Thor and Loki fooled Thrym the Giant; the Dwarfs hoard and the curse that it brought; Baldurs doom; Sigurds youth; Brynhild in the House of Flame; the death of Sigurd; the twilight of the gods; and many more.Enhanced with over 40 atmospheric illustrations by Willy Pogany, this charming volume will delight myth lovers with its rich selection of enduring legends.

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Readers who love horses will cherish this blue-ribbon collection of fifteen short stories by such famous authors as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Saki, and Erle Stanley Gardner. Suitable for ages 10 and older, these tales of wild and tame horses offer a thrilling blend of adventure and realism. The collection opens with an abridgment of Anna Sewell's classic Black Beauty, the moving account of a horse's working life, pulling cabs in Victorian London. Subsequent stories include "Her First Horse Show" by David Gray, "The Brogue" by Saki, Mary E. Wilkins Freeman's "The Doctor's Horse," "Carved in Sand" by Erle Stanley Gardner, and many others.

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A Theologico-Political Treatise and A Political Treatise

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One of the most original and penetrating philosophers of all time, Spinoza is also one of the clearest and easiest to understand. His works constitute an important adjunct to understanding Goethe, Hegel, Schelling, Coleridge, Whitehead, Schopenhauer, Wittgenstein, and other writers who were influenced by his thinking. Spinoza's works retain an endless wealth of lucidly expressed and deeply profound analyses of such concepts as God, the universe, pantheism, the role of society, revealed religion, the state, democracy, the mind, the emotions, freedom, and human nature.In A Theologico-Political Treatise, Spinoza presents an eloquent plea for religious liberty, demonstrating that true religion consists of the practice of simple piety, independent of philosophical speculation. Anticipating the methods of modern rationalists, he examines the Bible at length to show that freedom of thought and speech are consistent with the religious life. In the unfinished Political Treatise, Spinoza develops a theory of government founded on common consent.This volume is part of Dover's Philosophical Classics series, a collection of the major works in Western and Eastern philosophy that ranges from ancient Greece to modern times. Its low-priced, high-quality, unabridged editions are ideal for teachers and students as well as for other readers.

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Benedict de Spinoza, Francesco Cordasco, R. H. M. Elwes

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Charming light verse and fourteen graceful illustrations tell the story of an "everyday boy" named Teddy Malleen who travels to the North Pole in a flying machine, where he meets Santa and explores the legendary toy shop.Originally published in 1916, this holiday treasure has been reproduced in a large, sturdy format that's perfect for little hands and will last for many seasons. A lovely gift book and a fun adventure for kids, it's a must-have edition for collectors of antique children's books and vintage Christmas memorabilia

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This splendidly illustrated study by the distinguished Celticist T. W. Rolleston masterfully retells the great Celtic myths and illuminates the world that spawned them. Focusing principally on Irish myths, the book first takes up the history and religion of the Celts, the myths of the Irish invasion and the early Milesian kings.What follows is pure enchantment as you enter the timeless world of heroic tales centered around the Ulster king Conor mac Nessa and the Red Branch Order of chivalry (Ultonian cycle). These are followed by the tales of the Ossianic cycle, which center on the figure of Finn mac Cumhal, whose son Oisin (or Ossian) was a poet and warrior, and the traditional author of most of the tales. Next comes a summary of the Voyage of Maeldun, a brilliant and curious piece of invention that exemplifies the genre of "wonder-voyages"  adventures purely in the region of romance, out of earthly space and time. Finally, the author recounts a selection of the myths and tales of the Cymry (Welsh).In these pages, readers will delight in the favorite and familiar tales of Cuchulain, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, the Grail, Deirdre, and many more figures that haunt the shadowy, twilight world of Celtic legend. The magic of that world is further brought to life in more than 50 imaginative full-page illustrations by Stephen Reid, Arthur G. Bell, and the famed illustrator J. C. Leyendecker. Reprinted here in its first paperback edition, Celtic Myths and Legends also includes several helpful genealogical tables: Gods of the House of Don, Gods of the House of Llyr, and Arthur and His Kin, as well as a useful glossary.

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Designed expressly for the beginning German language student, here is an outstanding collection of fifty-two short stories, poems, essays, and anecdotes. Each selection has been specially chosen for its power to evoke German life and culture. This dual-language edition features precise English translations on pages that face the original German text. New students will enjoy the pleasure of reading great German literature from the very first page, as the selections have been arranged to accommodate the gradual improvement of language skills. Helpful vocabulary and language exercises are also included. First German Reader features the works of many of Germany's best writers, including Goethe, Hesse, Heine, Schiller, Holderlin, and other literary virtuosos. The translations of Harry Steinhauer are vivid and true to the originalsand poetic in their own right. Literature lovers, German language students, and other readers will find this volume an accessible exploration of German literature . . . and an invaluable aid to mastering the German language.

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Here is every line of every nonsense book written by Edward Lear. In a single volume you get "A Book of Nonsense," "Nonsense Songs," "More Nonsense Songs," "Laughable Lyrics," and "Nonsense Songs and Stories. No other low-price edition offers this complete collection.You will meet such old favorites as "The Dong With a Luminous Nose," "The Jumblies," "The Owl and the Pussycat," "The Nutcrackers and the Sugar Tongs," and "The History of the Seven Young Owls." Two hundred and fourteen limericks are in here as well, each illustrated with the drawing Lear composed specially for it. In addition, you'll find three different sets of Nonsense Botany, five Nonsense Alphabets, and dozens of other selections in both prose and verse.All 546 of Lear's original illustrations are in this volume. With masterful simplicity and apparent naivete they tell of the dreamlike never-never land of childhood. Many Lear enthusiasts maintain that in these drawings the Laureate of Nonsense gave rise to an entire new style. Their influence has certainly been widespread, with echoes of Lear to be seen in the work of Thurber, Steinberg, Phil May, Bateman, and other artists and illustrators.It has been a hundred years since Edward Lear, the advocate of illogic, first became known to a wide public. Children who begged to have his verses read to them have grown up to read Lear to their own children  and to discover that his whimsy, imagination, and originality have their attraction for the adult mind as well.

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The foundation for a general system of morals, this 1749 work is a landmark in the history of moral and political thought. Readers familiar with Adam Smith from The Wealth of Nations will find this earlier book a revelation. Although the author is often misrepresented as a calculating rationalist who advises the pursuit of self-interest in the marketplace, regardless of the human cost, he was also interested in the human capacity for benevolence  as The Theory of Moral Sentiments amply demonstrates.The greatest prudence, Smith suggests, may lie in following economic self-interest in order to secure the basic necessities. This is only the first step, however, toward the much higher goal of achieving a morally virtuous life. Smith elaborates upon a theory of the imagination inspired by the philosophy of David Hume. His reasoning takes Hume's logic a step further by proposing a more sophisticated notion of sympathy, leading to a series of highly original theories involving conscience, moral judgment, and virtue.Smith's legacy consists of his reconstruction of the Enlightenment idea of a moral, or social, science that embraces both political economy and the theory of law and government. His articulate expression of his philosophy continues to inspire and challenge modern readers.