Tao Te Ching: The Ancient Classic
By Lao Tzu and Tom Butler-Bowdon
4/5
()
About this ebook
This ancient text, fundamental to Taoism, has become a source of inspiration and guidance for millions in modern society. It's focus on attunement, rather than mindless striving, offers an alternative to command-and-control leadership and a different way of seeing personal success – a position that has led to this ancient Chinese text becoming an internationally bestselling personal development guide. Now the text has been given a makeover and this deluxe, gift edition is set to become the market leader, following in the footsteps of the other bestselling Capstone Classic editions.
Includes:
- Paints a picture of a person in full attunement
- Illustrates how fulfillment and peace, without struggle, can deliver to us what we need and desire
- An alternative way to view personal success
- A new introduction by Tom Butler Bowdon, the classic personal development expert
Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu is the reputed founder of Taoism, but there is little evidence that he actually existed. He is said to have been a contemporary of Confucius and to have served as curator of the dynastic archives until retiring to the mythical K’un-lun mountains.
Read more from Lao Tzu
Sky is the Limit: The Art of of Upgrading Your Life: 50 Classic Self Help Books Including.: Think and Grow Rich, The Way to Wealth, As A Man Thinketh, The Art of War, Acres of Diamonds and many more Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Prosperity Bible: The Greatest Writings of All Time On The Secrets To Wealth And Prosperity Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Tao te Ching: Power for the Peaceful Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Prosperity & Wealth Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Four Chinese Classics: Tao Te Ching, Analects, Chuang Tzu, Mencius Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsYes You Can! - 50 Classic Self-Help Books That Will Guide You and Change Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Prosperity Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Prosperity Bible: The Greatest Writings of All Time on the Secrets to Wealth and Prosperity Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/550 Classic Self-Help And Motivational Books You Have To Read Before You Die (Golden Deer Classics) Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5The Tao Te Ching Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/530+ Classic Philosophy Book Collection: The Art of War, Poetics, The Republic, The Meditations, The Prince and others Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Secret of Prosperity: The Greatest Writings on the Art of Becoming Rich, Strong & Successful Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTao Te Ching (Warbler Classics Annotated Edition) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTao Te Ching (Chinese and English language) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTao Te Ching: Premium Ebook Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Tao Te Ching (New Edition With Commentary) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTao Te Ching (Translated with commentary by James Legge) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Tao Te Ching
Titles in the series (14)
Tao Te Ching: The Ancient Classic Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Republic: The Influential Classic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLetters from a Stoic: The Ancient Classic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Science of Getting Rich: The Original Classic Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano: The Black History Classic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMeditations: The Philosophy Classic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Communist Manifesto: The Political Classic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeyond Good and Evil: The Philosophy Classic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Room of One's Own: The Feminist Classic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEssays by Montaigne: The Philosophy Classic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUtopia: The Influential Classic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNarrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: The Black History Classic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTwelve Years a Slave: The Black History Classic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThus Spoke Zarathustra: The Philosophy Classic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related ebooks
The Republic: The Influential Classic Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Activist's Tao Te Ching: Ancient Advice for a Modern Revolution Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Sayings of Lao Tzu Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dalai Lama's Little Book of Mysticism: The Essential Teachings Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Essence of Tao Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Taoist Teachings From the Book of Lieh Tzŭ Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Global Class War: How America's Bipartisan Elite Lost Our Future - and What It Will Take to Win It Back Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Prince - Il Principe: Bestsellers and famous Books Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSun Tzu's Art of War Unveiled: A Fourth-Dimensional Interpretation to Master Your Mind Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Shortcut To Serenity Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTao Te Jing in Plain English Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTao Te Ching (Warbler Classics Annotated Edition) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTao Te Ching Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Analects of Confucius (from the Chinese Classics) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Be Single and Happy: The Ultimate Self-Help Book to Being Single and Being Happy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCosmology and Buddhist Thought: A Conversation with Neil deGrasse Tyson Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Wisdom of Mao Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTao for Now Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings3 Steps to get rid of ANY Bad Habit: And Live Free Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsConversation with the Devil Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Spiritual Connections Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Road to Inner Freedom: The Ethics Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTaoism of China - The Way of Nature: Source of all sources (Simplified Chinese Edition): 中国的道家上册─自然之道:源头的源头(简体中文) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDoes This Make Me A Witch?: A Poetry Collection Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKnow Thyself - Attain Peace & Happiness: Attain peace and happiness Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPi Poems for the One Who Needs Them... Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Doron Yoga Ultimate Nourishment and Pantry Guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWisdom's Way: 101 Tales of Chinese Wit Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSayings of the Buddha Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Meditations (Warbler Classics Annotated Edition) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Small Business & Entrepreneurs For You
Starting a Business All-In-One For Dummies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Think Bigger: Aim Higher, Get More Motivated, and Accomplish Big Things Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Ultimate Side Hustle Book: 450 Moneymaking Ideas for the Gig Economy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dream Big: Know What You Want, Why You Want It, and What You’re Going to Do About It Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Start Your Own Business Bible: 501 New Ventures You Can Launch Today Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Millionaire Fastlane: Crack the Code to Wealth and Live Rich for a Lifetime Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Freedom Shortcut: How Anyone Can Generate True Passive Income Online, Escape the 9-5, and Live Anywhere Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Small Business For Dummies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Summary of Timothy Ferriss' book: The 4-Hour Workweek: More time, more money, more life: Summary Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Never Get a "Real" Job: How to Dump Your Boss, Build a Business and Not Go Broke Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Creative, Inc.: The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Notary Business Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Feck Perfuction: Dangerous Ideas on the Business of Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bookkeeping: An Essential Guide to Bookkeeping for Beginners along with Basic Accounting Principles Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Side Hustle: How to Turn Your Spare Time into $1000 a Month or More Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5HBR Guide to Buying a Small Business (HBR Guide Series) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bending Reality: How to Make the Impossible Probable Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Robert's Rules of Order: The Original Manual for Assembly Rules, Business Etiquette, and Conduct Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Without a Doubt: How to Go from Underrated to Unbeatable Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wealthology: The Science of Smashing Money Blocks Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Real Artists Don't Starve: Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Yes!: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Tao Te Ching
63 ratings63 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5From 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.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is one of those quick to read, but long to digest books. It was interesting and will take more than one reading to feel more comfortable with.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5As 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.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Good visuals for contemplation
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I was totally surprised to find out that this is actually a political treatise but less surprised to learn that quiescence is strength.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Laozi'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.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A classic for life.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Just amazing.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Guidance I needed.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5"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.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This 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)
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I've read 3 translations and this one is by far my favorite.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5In 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.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A 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.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I felt this was one of those things I should read to help understand another culture from another place and time. It was enjoyable from that point-of-view, but I didn't gain anything else from it.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5It 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.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A beautiful translation with a wonderfully illustrated explanations. Everyone ought read The Tao once.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Evolved 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.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I'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.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Not a patch on Machiavelli, yet written from the same point of view: as advice for a would-be leader. The Tao Te Ching speaks from a point of view which I find very hostile, that of providing wisdom for an aspiring leader of a hegemonistic and ambiguous state. The advice includes tips on keeping your peasants stupid and happy, and much mystical mumbo-jumbo which doesn't stand up to ten seconds' solid thinking. Mysteriously popular.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Written by Laozi shortly before the Analects of Confucius this classic Chinese text has been more frequently translated than any book except the Bible. It is one of the foundations of East Asian thought that is still read today. The Tao Te Ching provides a combination of spirituality, common sense advice and a little nonsense to remind us that we live in world that cannot be known. Much of the text is open to a wide variety of interpretations. The beginning is a famous quote that provides a good example:The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.The name that can be named is not the eternal name.There is an important thought conveyed in those two lines that loses its' meaning if you try to reduce it to an objective fact.On the other hand the following lines are simple good advice about how to live your life.In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.In speech, be true.In ruling, be just.In business, be competent.In action, watch the timing.One of the author's favorite devices is the use of contradictions to express an idea.When the Tao is present in the universe,The horses haul manure.When the Tao is absent from the universe,War horses are bred outside the city.The Tao Te Ching is eighty-one verses and each time I read it I discover something new. For me that is the hallmark of a truly great book. The edition I have is filled with full page pictures and has the original Chinese on the opposite page from the translation.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This 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. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The 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.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Overall Ames and Hall translate the Dao well and provide some useful commentary. I skipped most of the commentary because it was a bit simple and didn't always provide insightful information. However, as a beginning translation, Ames and Hall provide an easy to read and well written introductory text on the Eastern philosophy of the Dao.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Tao Te Ching or Daodejing is a classic Chinese text that traditionally is said to go back to the 6th Century BCE, and written by Lao Tzu, a figure whose historicity is in dispute. According to the Wikipedia, texts of it have been excavated that go back to the 4th Century BCE. Some introductions to editions claim Lao Tzu was a teacher of Confucius, but other authorities I've checked think Taoism was a reaction to Confucianism, and that the text dates later than Confucius, to the time of the "five warring states." If you have a fat book on your hands, it must be filled with commentary, notes or illustrations, because the entire work is extremely short, consisting of 81 brief verses. In the edition I own translated by D.C. Lau, the Introduction is half as long than the text. This is the entirely of Chapter 6, in the Derek Lin translation, which can be found online: The valley spirit, undying Is called the Mystic Female The gate of the Mystic Female Is called the root of Heaven and Earth It flows continuously, barely perceptible Utilize it; it is never exhaustedAs that demonstrates, the meaning isn't always clear, at least to this Westerner, even if you have some familiarity with Taoism from other sources. There's a lot of paradox, opposites juxtaposed, and as the introduction to my owned edition states, the text is often "succinct to the point of obscurity." And as a philosophy, well, these aren't connected arguments. They're more the collected wisdom sayings of a common philosophical movement and not meant to be breezed through cover to cover. Yet even from my first read I found this enjoyable to read, and filled with pithy little words of wisdom: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step." (Chapter 64) And especially on a repeat read I can see why some in the libertarian movement embrace it. Note Chapter 57 (Derek Lin) Govern a country with upright integrity Deploy the military with surprise tactics Take the world with non-interference How do I know this is so? With the following: When there are many restrictions in the world The people become more impoverished When people have many sharp weapons The country becomes more chaotic When people have many clever tricks More strange things occur The more laws are posted The more robbers and thieves there are Therefore the sage says: I take unattached action, and the people transform themselves I prefer quiet, and the people right themselves I do not interfere, and the people enrich themselves I have no desires, and the people simplify themselvesThis is reflected in several other verses and I've seen this described as the "Wu=Wei" principle, which has influenced both libertarians such as Murray Rothbard and the Cato Institute's David Boaz and Left-anarchists such as Ursula LeGuin, who wrote a translation I recently saw in the neighborhood bookstore. There's a whole shelf full of different translations of this book, a marker of the worldwide and deep historical influence of the book--which has links to both Confucianism and Buddhism--that makes this worth reading and trying to understand. I'd compare different translations to find one that's congenial, since different translators render very different readings. Wayist Org and TaoTeChingMe.com have pages online comparing various translations.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5First time I've read the Tao Te Ching. Simple but profound advice for living. Simple to understand translation and the annotations and explanations are clear and helpful.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Some 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. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book version: First, it is beautiful with inspiring/matching Chinese artwork including a texture look. Secondly, love that this version has English text with the Chinese text for each chapter every two pages, with the Chinese in the correct vertical from right to left with extra bonus points that the Chinese is done in calligraphy style. Thirdly, a very long introduction proved to be very educational and fitting. Now, the ding – the translation is too casual, using modern language that I personally don’t like, at one point using words like “me, me, me” in reference to selfishness. Hmm, I can read a little bit of Chinese, and I can promise you that’s not what the original text reads! The quotes below should give more flavors of this.Tao Te Ching (TTC), when read with my modern metropolis city girl mind, instructs “The Way”, “The Virtue”, and the “The Coda” as a reminder to the simplicity of life, easily forgotten as we plow forward with our day-to-day to-do list. Contrary to Chapter 41 where “Those who think that the Way is easy will find it extremely hard”, I think the Way is hard and still find it extremely hard! TTC also depressed me a bit (true statement). If life is supposed to be following the way of ‘nothing’, then I sure have been working my ass off for no good reason. If wisdom and knowledge is to be condemned and vilified, then part of my identity is evil. The unspoken expectation, then and now, was simply always be ‘more’, quite not the ‘Tao’. Of course, I’m not taking TTC literally. The complexities of living do not readily allow for it. (Try and explain TTC to the IRS.) Instead, I take from it a few nuggets that are meaningful. Here’s an abbreviated list:Introduction: 1) “Wu-Wei doesn’t mean just sitting about doing nothing. It means ‘being’, it means being receptive, and it means going beyond our egos in what we do and how we do what we do.” 2) “I see the essence of the Tao as poetic, with all that implies, and all we still have to learn – to really be here, and to let go.”Ch1 (Start of Tao): “Following the nothingness of the Tao, and you can be like it, not needing anything, seeing the wonder and the root of everything.” --- Meaning that nothing is something.Ch 2: 1) “Neither future nor past can exist alone.” --- Acceptance and remembrance of who you were and who you have become. 2) “Life is made – and no one owns it.”Ch 20: Seek and want nothing. “What do the people want? Money and things. And yet I find I have nothing, and I don’t care. I am as unambitious as any fool.”Ch 28: Learn to yield, learn to bend, learn to think anew. “Understand the thrust of the yang – but be more like the yin in your being… Be like a stream… Be newborn – be free of yourself…” Ch 38 (Start of Te): Reminded me of leadership, a truly good leader. “A Man of Te rules by Wu-Wei, doing nothing for himself or of himself… A man who rules with compassion, acts through it – and no one even realizes.”Ch 44: “If you’re not always wanting, you can be at peace. And if you’re not always trying to be someone, you can be who you really are.”Ch 67: “I have three priceless treasures: Compassion, Thrift, Humility… These days people scorn compassion. They try to be tough. They spend all they have, and yet want to be generous. They despise humility, and want to be the best.”
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Review of Tao Te Ching: Annotated and Explained: I thought that this translation was quite readable, and I appreciated the facing-page commentary. I understand that the translator wanted to point out what distinguishes his translation from all the rest, but sometimes this came across as sniping at other translators. Still, this wouldn't be a bad first Tao Te Ching to read.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Not an "easy" read but very insightful. "Tao Te Ching" is a collection of a poems that are centered around Taoist philosophy.
Book preview
Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu
This edition first published 2012
Introduction copyright © Tom Butler-Bowdon, 2012
The material for Tao Te Ching is based on the 1919 edition of Laotzu's Tao and Wu Wei, translated by Dwight Goddard and Henri Borel, published by Brentano's: New York, and is now in the public domain. This edition is not sponsored or endorsed by, or otherwise affiliated with Dwight Goddard or Henri Borel, their families or heirs.
Registered office
Capstone Publishing Ltd. (A Wiley Company), John Wiley and Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, United Kingdom
For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com.
The right of the author to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Wiley publishes in a variety of print and electronic formats and by print-on-demand. Some material included with standard print versions of this book may not be included in e-books or in print-on-demand. If this book refers to media such as a CD or DVD that is not included in the version you purchased, you may download this material at http://booksupport.wiley.com. For more information about Wiley products, visit www.wiley.com.
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 978-0-857-08311-1 (hardback) ISBN 978-0-857-08333-3 (ebk)
ISBN 978-0-857-08334-0 (ebk) ISBN 978-0-857-08335-7 (ebk)
Set in 11/15 pt ITC New Baskerville by Sparks – www.sparkspublishing.com
CONTENTS
An Introduction
About Tom Butler-Bowdon
Tao Te Ching
I What is the Tao
II Self-Development
III Quieting People
IV Tao, Without Origin
V Impartiality
VI The Infinitude of Creative Effort
VII Humility
VIII The Nature of Goodness
IX Moderation
X What is Possible
XI The Value of Non-Existence
XII Avoiding Desire
XIII Loathing Shame
XIV In Praise of The Profound
XV That Which Reveals Teh
XVI Returning to the Source
XVII Simplicity of Habit
XVIII The Palliation of The Inferior
XIX Return to Simplicity
XX The Opposite of the Commonplace
XXI The Heart of Emptiness
XXII Increase by Humility
XXIII Emptiness and Not-Doing (Wu Wei)
XXIV Troubles and Merit
XXV Describing the Mysterious
XXVI The Virtue (Teh) of Dignity
XXVII The Function of Skill
XXVIII Returning to Simplicity
XXIX Not Forcing Things (Wu Wei)
XXX Be Stingy of War
XXXI Avoiding War
XXXII The Virtue (Teh) of Holiness
XXXIII The Virtue (Teh) of Discrimination
XXXIV The Perfection of Trust
XXXV The Virtue (Teh) of Benevolence
XXXVI Explanation of a Paradox
XXXVII Administering the Government
XXXVIII A Discussion About Teh
XXXIX The Root of Authority
XL Avoiding Activity
XLI The Unreality of Appearance
XLII The Transformation of Tao
XLIII The Function of the Universal
XLIV Precepts
XLV The Virtue (Teh) of Greatness
XLVI Limitation of Desire
XLVII Seeing the Distant
XLVIII To Forget Knowledge
XLIX The Virtue (Teh) of Trust
L Esteem Life
LI Teh as a Nurse
LII Return to Origin
LIII Gain by Insight
LIV To Cultivate Intuition
LV To Verify the Mysterious
LVI The Teh of the Mysterious
LVII The Habit of Simplicity
LVIII Adaptation to Change
LIX To Keep Tao
LX To Maintain Position
LXI The Teh of Humility
LXII The Practice of Tao
LXIII A Consideration of Beginnings
LXIV Consider the Insignificant
LXV The Teh of Simplicity