Lao Tzu : Tao Te Ching : A Book About the Way and the Power of the Way

By Lao Tzu

The Tao Te Ching is fundamental to the Taoist school of Chinese philosophy and strongly influenced other schools, such as Legalism and Neo-Confucianism. This ancient book is also central in Chinese religion, not only for Taoism but Chinese Buddhism, which when first introduced into China was largely interpreted through the use of Taoist words and concepts. Many Chinese artists, including poets, painters, calligraphers, and even gardeners have used the Tao Te Ching as a source of inspiration. Its influence has also spread widely outside East Asia, aided by hundreds of translations into Western languages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Whitemore Kennett
• Release date: Dec 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9782291081692

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.

Book preview

Tao Te Ching

Lao Tzu

(Translator: James Legge)

Table of Contents

Tao Te Ching

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1

The Tao that can be described is not the enduring and unchanging Tao.

The name that can be named is not the enduring and unchanging name.

(Conceived of as) having no name, it is the Originator of heaven and earth;

(conceived of as) having a name, it is the Mother of all things.

Always without desire we must be found,

If its deep mystery we would sound;

But if desire always within us be,

Its outer fringe is all that we shall see.

Under these two aspects, it is really the same; but as development takes place, it receives the different names.

Together we call them the Mystery.

Where the Mystery is the deepest is the gate of all that is subtle and wonderful.

2

All in the world know the beauty of the beautiful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what ugliness is;

they all know the skill of the skilful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what the want of skill is.

So it is that existence and non-existence give birth the one to (the idea of) the other;

that difficulty and ease produce the one (the idea of) the other;

that length and shortness fashion out the one the figure of the other;

that (the ideas of) height and lowness arise from the contrast of the one with the other;

that the musical notes and tones become harmonious through the relation of one with another; and that being before and behind give the idea of one following another.

Therefore the sage manages affairs without doing anything, and conveys his instructions without the use of speech.

All things spring up, and there is not one which declines to show itself;

they grow, and there is no claim made for their ownership;

they go through their processes, and there is no expectation (of a reward for the results).

The work is accomplished, and there is no resting in it (as an achievement).

The work is done, but how no one can see;

'Tis this that makes the power not cease to be.

3

Not to value and employ men of superior ability is the way to keep the people from rivalry among themselves;

not to prize articles which are difficult to procure is the way to keep them from becoming thieves;

not to show them what is likely to excite their desires is the way to keep their minds from disorder.

Therefore the sage, in the exercise of

Reviews for Lao Tzu

[michael.bradham · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Guidance I needed.

[waelrammo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just amazing.

[heidilove_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The annotation makes this a true gem.

[gabarito-3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've read 3 translations and this one is by far my favorite.

[mykl8s · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is probably the third version of the Tao Te Ching I've owned, each one more poetic and less a literal translation than the last. It presents a view on the world that at gut level makes more sense to me than any other I have come across. It is as difficult and seemingly self-contradictory as any religious book I know of, using aphorism instead of argument, but is more grounded to my way of thinking. Not that I understand it in any real sense, but I do like it.

[clifforddham · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the finest, truest spiritual texts, and one of the best renderings of this classic Chinese work into English. Living through letting go. Both direct and poetic, with additional notes from Le Guin.

[michael_cowles-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful interpretation of the Tao Te Ching. She is always able to lend a gentle feeling of hope to her work. Less mystery and more nature in this version.

[poetontheone · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.

[slothman_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.