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    Tao Te Ching: A New English Version
    Tao Te Ching: A New English Version
    Tao Te Ching: A New English Version
    Ebook155 pages1 hour

    Tao Te Ching: A New English Version

    By Stephen Mitchell and Lao Tzu

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    The bestselling, widely acclaimed translation from Stephen Mitchell

    "Mitchell's rendition of the Tao Te Ching comes as close to being definitive for our time as any I can imagine. It embodies the virtues its translator credits to the Chinese original: a gemlike lucidity that is radiant with humor, grace, largeheartedness, and deep wisdom." — Huston Smith, author of The Religions of Man

    In eighty-one brief chapters, Lao-tzu's Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, provides advice that imparts balance and perspective, a serene and generous spirit, and teaches us how to work for the good with the effortless skill that comes from being in accord with the Tao—the basic principle of the universe.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateOct 13, 2009
    ISBN9780061807398
    Author

    Stephen Mitchell

    Stephen Mitchell's many books include the bestselling Tao Te Ching, Gilgamesh, and The Second Book of the Tao, as well as The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, The Gospel According to Jesus, Bhagavad Gita, The Book of Job, and Meetings with the Archangel.

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    Reviews for Tao Te Ching

    4.5/5

    131 ratings73 reviews

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    • 5/5
      From the book description: Drawing on meticulous study of multiple sources, this fresh but authoritative reading of Lao Tsu's timeless classic combines the poetry of the Tao Te Ching with a wealth of additional material: an introduction to the enigmatic Lao Tsu and his times; a discussion of the many challenges facing the translator; 81 illustrative Chinese characters/phrases, selected to highlight key themes in each chapter; separate commentary and inspirational quotes, as well as room for you to record your own impressions, section by section.
    • 5/5
      As D.C. Lau points out in his highly readable introduction to this Penguin Classics edition, it is highly unlikely that Lao Tzu was an acutal person, despite stories of Confucius once going to see him. Instead, the contents of the Tao Te Ching seem to be a distillation and compilation of early Daoist thought. Like the Analects of Confucius, there are passages that are corrupted and whose meaning is either unfathomable or in dispute. There are also certain ideas that are repeated in nearly identical phrases in different parts of this very short work. Compared to the Analects of Confucius, this is a shorter, easier read, but like that work, I’m sure it benefits from reading in multiple translations and from reading more about it—not just of it. Since the Teaching Company doesn’t have a course on this book as they do for the Analects, I’ll just have to rely more on my own first impressions. Daoist philosophy (or Taoist, if you want to use the old spelling—but Daoist is how you pronounce it) is intriguing because it seems to rely on not taking action rather than on actually doing anything. It is full of things such as, “He who speaks doesn’t know.” And “He who knows doesn’t speak.” You’ll be nodding your head at things like that, comparing them to your own life experience. Putting such ideas into practice, however, seems problematic. No wonder some famous Daoists were monks. I’m not sure how following the precepts in this book would work in most people’s lives, unlike, for example, applying a few Buddhist tenets. I’m sure they wouldn’t fly at my house when it’s time to wash the dishes. But I’m trivializing things here. Just trying to wrap your mind around these concepts and spending a while contemplating them is beneficial. We do, for instance, act far more often than we should. How many times can we think of when not doing something would have served us better? But we just felt compelled to act, since that seems to be part of our human nature. Not to mention being easier to explain to your friends if your act goes wrong. I’m still trivializing, I guess. I highly recommend reading this well-done translation and its commentary. There are, for instance, a lot of ebooks available that give you an old translation of this work—which may be a fine translation for all I know—but without some context, you will lose much of the pleasure of reading. People who write books with titles that include “before you die” in them should immediately die themselves before they can write more such books. But if you’re an intelligent person, and if you have a little time to spare and an interest in philosophy, give this a try and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
    • 5/5
      Good visuals for contemplation
    • 4/5
       I was totally surprised to find out that this is actually a political treatise but less surprised to learn that quiescence is strength.
    • 5/5
      Laozi's set of 81 brief chapters sets forth the philosophy of Taoism. The author cautions the reader that words alone cannot faithfully describe his subject, the Tao or the way of the universe, which in our time has led some to dismiss this perspective due to its ambiguity. Enigmas and apparent contradictions appear frequently, which compelled me to pause to contemplate what Laozi was trying to convey. The necessity of pausing and reflecting makes reading this material fulfilling, especially when I felt I moved closer to understanding.I found the three jewels of Taoism appealing: Compassion, frugality (also translated as restraint and moderation), and humility (or not seeking to be first). Laozi is also persuasive in advocating selective gradual change rather than confrontation.This book is not for the been-there-done-that crowd, who see the ideal life as a experience of episodes of serial consumption. Instead the truths here are intended to be revealed though a combination of experience and contemplation. Some have wisely recommended memorizing some of the chapters, allowing the enigmas and puzzles to remain with us and perhaps to be solved later on with the help of experiential and contextual diversity. The edition I read was translated by Thomas H. Miles and his students. It served my purpose well, though at times I would have appreciated some additional commentary to supplement the helpful existing guidance. Miles' translation also has some useful introductory material in which key terms are defined, insofar as that is possible within Taoism. I intend to read other translations to get a better idea of the range of interpretations.
    • 5/5
      A classic for life.
    • 5/5
      Guidance I needed.
    • 5/5
      Just amazing.
    • 3/5
      "People certainly have been confused for a long time."The introduction and endnotes went a long way helping me read this. I can see why it takes a lifetime to decipher this.
    • 4/5
      This is a review of the Penguin publication of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu as translated by D. C. Lau in 1963. This is my first time reading anything about the Tao, apart from skimming Wikipedia entries, so I found Lau's 50+ page introduction both useful and insightful. He provides historical context for the work, and offers both the theory that Lao Tzu was a real philosopher and contemporary of Confucius and the theory that there was no "real" Lao Tzu and that the writing attributed to him is really a collection of folk sayings. I also greatly appreciated his interpretations of some difficult passages - the Tao is often concise to the point of obscurity and Lau's ability to bring in historical context to the poetic text is a welcome addition. For example:"... the Taoist precept of holding fast to the submissive lies in its usefulness as a means to survival. This being the case, we may feel that Lao tzu attaches an undue importance to survival. This feelings shows that we have not succeeded in understanding the environment that produced the hopes and fears which were crystallized into such a precept.The centuries in which the Lao tzu was produced were certainly turbulent times. China was divided into a number of states, to all intents and purposes autonomous, constantly engaged in wars of increasing scope and ferocity with one another. For the common man survival was a real and pressing problem." (p.29-30) I found this insight greatly useful when reading the many passages that stress the importance of inaction, doing nothing and basically keeping one's head down and staying out of the way. It also helps to explain the many passages directed towards rulers (translated as "sages") that stress keeping the people ignorant and not rewarding good behavior or displaying wealth since those things spurn jealousy and cause competition and unrest. Basically, the Tao in Lau's translation is not a mystical work but a survival guide for a war-torn ancient China - be quiet, don't do anything, don't want anything and don't invite anyone to start looking in your direction.My personal favourite quotes from the actual text:"Thus Something and Nothing produce each other;The difficult and the easy complement each other;The long and the short off-set each other;The high and the low incline towards each other;Note and sound harmonize with each other;Before and after follow each other." (II - 5 p.58)"When the best student hears about the wayHe practices it assiduously;When the average student hears about the wayIt seems to him one moment there and gone the next;When the worst student hears about the wayHe laughs out loud.If he did not laughIt would be unworthy of being the way....The way that is bright seems dull;The way that leads forward seems to lead backward;The way that is even seems rough. (XLI - 90-91 p. 102)
    • 5/5
      Take your time to read this and absorb and understand it. it's full of wisdom that's deceptively simple yet so effective. I will keep reading it time and again to keep myself in good practise.
    • 5/5
      The book is a classic for a reason it's insight and wisdom are unmatched in most literature and it's simplicity and shortness make for a thirty or forty minute read that when you understand it you can alter your life.
    • 5/5
      A clear and moving translation of an enduring sacred text.
    • 5/5
      Great translation and interpretation. Will come back to translation again and again
    • 5/5
      Nothing but Great. There are no words to best describe this.
    • 5/5
      Good book. I had to reread many parts over and over as it is a very thought/non-thought provoking book.
    • 5/5
      Loved this book, considered this reading being a weekly ritual!
    • 5/5
      Great Book, Great Translation. One of my all time favorites...
    • 5/5
      To the point and everything mentioned clearly. Must ready book.
    • 5/5
      I've read 3 translations and this one is by far my favorite.
    • 5/5
      In the introduction, Le Guin explains that the Tao Te Ching has been an influential book throughout her life, and that over the years she has made efforts at producing her own rendition of the classic. (She won’t call it a translation, since she doesn’t actually speak Chinese, but she has done extensive research— she provides copious notes on how she chose particular renderings in the back of the book— and produced this in collaboration with a scholar of the language.) Her goal has been to distill the clarity of the classic for a modern reader who is more likely one citizen among millions rather than a leader seeking sagacious insights for rulership. The result is quite good, with a penetrating brevity I haven’t seen in the other translations I’ve read. I actually wound up reading it with another translation to hand when I wanted to get another perspective on the occasional verse, but I think the simplicity of her rendering is a good place to start before going out looking for more nuance.
    • 5/5
      A timeless treasure trove of ancient wisdom. Le Guin's version is fluid, digestible, and enjoyable - adding a pleasant accessibility while still remaining faithful to the text.
    • 5/5
      That which can be reviewed is not the real tao
    • 3/5
      It didn't really explain WHAT Tao is. Maybe it was just my translation, but when the whole explanation of Tao is that ~those who know about don't talk about it, and those that talk about it, don't know about it~ isn't particularly helpful.
    • 5/5
      This translation with commentary by Ellen M. Chen has the reputation for being the best contemporary explication of the Tao Te Ching. I can't claim to have glanced at more than a few of the scores of translations currently available, but I did find that this had the terseness that I expect mimics the original. Also, the translation is careful to use the same English word to represent a given Chinese word whenever it appears in the text. This doubtless makes the translation less poetic, but it brings out the rigor of the Taoist philosophy.

      The commentary is amazing. Chen takes a philosophical rather than religious approach to the Tao Te Ching. Her commentary not only draws on Chinese texts from the Confucian, legalist, and Taoist traditions, but also on such western philosophers as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, Augustine, Thomas, Hegal, Proudhon, Marx, Freud, and Wittgenstein (the Tao is like that "whereof one cannot speak"). The result is a book that places Taoism in a global philosophical context, emphasizing its commonalties and, especially, its differences with other schools of thought.
    • 3/5
      The basic text of Taoism that was very influential in subsequent ancient Chinese philosophical and religious beliefs. Worth reading for a very different perspective on existence.
    • 5/5
      I've read the Tao Te Ching many times and still come away uncertain as to its meaning, but each time I get little glimmers that I didn't see before. It's probably because I'm trying to understand it that I don't.
    • 5/5
      Evolved individuals keep their minds open and impartial because fixed opinions or belief systems distort the flow of pure information coming in from the outside world. The way of power involves giving in. Timeless wisdom.
    • 4/5
      A beautiful translation with a wonderfully illustrated explanations. Everyone ought read The Tao once.
    • 3/5
      Some things were true and I didn't need an ancient master saying them for me to know that. Other things were not true but were couched in psuedo-wisdom and illogical platitudes. Some things were useful and reaffirmed what I know at my core and other things were purely fanciful. It is fascinating that the author starts he book with the notion that the true Dao cannot be described and then continues to try to describe it.

      It was interesting when the author wrote that if his logic doesn't make sense, the reader doesn't understand the Dao (even if they are very intelligent). That's a nice built-in defense mechanism. If you criticize the content, you just don't understand it.

    Book preview

    Tao Te Ching - Stephen Mitchell

    TO VICKI

    Who can find a good woman?

    She is precious beyond all things.

    Her husband’s heart trusts her completely.

    She is his best reward.

    PROV. 31:10-11

    Contents

    Foreword

    1 The tao that can be told…

    2 When people see some things as beautiful…

    3 If you overesteem great men…

    4 The Tao is like a well…

    5 The Tao doesn't take sides…

    6 The Tao is called the Great Mother…

    7 The Tao is infinite, eternal…

    8 The supreme good is like water…

    9 Fill your bowl to the brim…

    10 Can you coax your mind from its wandering…

    11 We join spokes together in a wheel…

    12 Colors blind the eye…

    13 Success is as dangerous as failure…

    14 Look, and it can't be seen…

    15 The ancient Masters were profound and subtle…

    16 Empty your mind of all thoughts…

    17 When the Master governs, the people…

    18 When the great Tao is forgotten…

    19 Throw away holiness and wisdom…

    20 Stop thinking, and end your problems…

    21 The Master keeps her mind…

    22 If you want to become whole…

    23 Express yourself completely…

    24 He who stands on tiptoe…

    25 There was something formless and perfect…

    26 The heavy is the root of the light…

    27 A good traveler has no fixed plans…

    28 Know the male…

    29 Do you want to improve the world…

    30 Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men…

    31 Weapons are the tools of violence…

    32 The Tao can't be perceived…

    33 Knowing others is intelligence…

    34 The great Tao flows everywhere…

    35 She who is centered in the Tao…

    36 If you want to shrink something…

    37 The Tao never does anything…

    38 The Master doesn't try to be powerful…

    39 In harmony with the Tao…

    40 Return is the movement of the Tao…

    41 When a superior man hears of the Tao…

    42 The Tao gives birth to One…

    43 The gentlest thing in the world…

    44 Fame or integrity: which is more important…

    45 True perfection seems imperfect…

    46 When a country is in harmony with the Tao…

    47 Without opening your door…

    48 In the pursuit of knowledge…

    49 The Master has no mind of her own…

    50 The Master gives himself up…

    51 Every being in the universe…

    52 In the beginning was the Tao…

    53 The great Way is easy…

    54 Whoever is planted in the Tao…

    55 He who is in harmony with the Tao…

    56 Those who know don't talk…

    57 If you want to be a great leader…

    58 If a country is governed with tolerance…

    59 For governing a country well…

    60 Governing a large country…

    61 When a country obtains great power…

    62 The Tao is the center of the universe…

    63 Act without doing…

    64 What is rooted is easy to nourish…

    65 The ancient Masters…

    66 All streams flow to the sea…

    67 Some say that my teaching is nonsense…

    68 The best athlete…

    69 The generals have a saying…

    70 My teachings are easy to understand…

    71 Not-knowing is true knowledge…

    72 When they lose their sense of awe…

    73 The Tao is always at ease…

    74 If you realize that all things change…

    75 When taxes are too high…

    76 Men are born soft and supple…

    77 As it acts in the world, the Tao…

    78 Nothing in the world…

    79 Failure is an opportunity…

    80 If a country is governed wisely…

    81 True words aren't eloquent…

    Notes

    Acknowledgments

    About the Translator

    Books by Stephen Mitchell

    Credits

    Copyright

    About the Publisher

    Foreword

    Tao Te Ching (pronounced, more or less, Dow Deh Jing) can be translated as The Book of the Immanence of the Way or The Book of the Way and of How It Manifests Itself in the World or, simply, The Book of the Way. Since it is already well known by its Chinese title, I have let that stand.

    About Lao-tzu, its author, there is practically nothing to be said. He may have been an older contemporary of Confucius (551-479 B.C.E.) and may have held the position of archive-keeper in one of the petty kingdoms of the time. But all the information that has come down to us is highly suspect. Even the meaning of his name is uncertain (the most likely interpretations: the Old Master or, more picturesquely, the Old Boy). Like an Iroquois woodsman, he

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