Tao Te Ching

by Lao Tzu

Book Overview

The most accessible and authoritative modern English translation of this esoteric but infinitely practical bestselling book.

"No one has done better in conveying Lao Tsu's simple and laconic style of writing, so as to produce an English version almost as suggestive of the many meanings intended." --Alan Watts

For nearly two generations, Gia-fu Feng and Jane English's bestselling translation of the Tao Te Ching has been the standard for those seeking access to the wisdom of Taoist thought. Now Jane English and her long-time editor, Toinette Lippe, have revised and refreshed the translation so that it more faithfully reflects the Classical Chinese in which it was first written, taking into account changes in our own language and eliminating any lingering infelicities. They have retained the simple clarity of the original rendering of a sometimes seemingly obtuse spiritual text, a clarity that has made this version a classic in itself, selling over a million copies.

Written most probably in the sixth century B.C. by Lao Tsu, this esoteric but infintely practical book has been translated into English more frequently than any other work except the Bible. Gia-fu Feng and Jane English's superb translation offers the essence of each word and makes Lao Tsu's teaching immediate and alive. This edition includes an introduction and notes by the well-known writer and scholar of philosophy and comparative religion, Jacob Needleman.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679724346
• ISBN13: 9780679724346
• Release Date: August 1989
• Publisher: Vintage
• Length: 107 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.1" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

This is the best translation I’ve found by Stephen Mitchell. Love this book

I like how this book is translated (Stephen Mitchell) and laid out. Have so many copies and give them away

Peg Streep’s translation is bad.

Peg Streep’s translation is bad.

Buy it!

Great book- a classic & influential text

A must-read of Taoism

Great book!

A Timeless Masterwork

When I saw a less than four star rating for this book, I was flabbergasted! How can one rate a world classic so poorly? Perhaps it's the nature of the book itself. The Tao Te Ching (or Deodejing) is 81 chapters of wisdom, political, spiritual, and advice sayings. Without understanding any of the philosophical background assumptions, the book is difficult to understand and can seem like nonsense at times. The Tao Te Ching is also unique in encouraging reflection and meditation on it's sayings by virtue of it's delicate balance between clarity and ambiguity. All of this can turn those new to the text away. But if you really want to understand the book, you will find it richly rewarding! Properly understood, the wisdom contained therein is helpful, profound, and a good starting point for exploring other ideas in Taoist, Buddhist, and Indian philosophy. It's also a calming and beautifully written book, given a competent translation. Most translations are fine, but I definitely recommend Red Pine's, Minford's, Addis and Lombardo's, or any one of ones listed on this site that isn't Stephen Mitchell. Mitchell's translation is not horrible, he just adds too much to the text for my tastes. As for a good introduction to the Tao Te Ching, Tao: The Watercourse Way is the best I've found. In any case, however, this book deserves five stars. There are great reasons why it is considered such an essential text in so many countries!