Tao Te Ching: A New English Version

Not the best translation

I was very disappointed after bringing this book home. Not only does the author provide you with a pre-packaged understandings and assumptions ripe for today's 'spiritualist' culture, but the translation itself is troublesome. It is clear that this author's own interpretation of the 'tao' comes ringing all too clear through the translation. Moreover, I found the change of pronouns to 'she' and 'her' as suspect, suggesting to me that other non-PC aspects of this work might also be edited out. Just give me the translation as acurately as possible. I rated this 'disappointing' though not a complete loss.

18 out of 22 people found this review helpful.

The Perfect Book that can be reviewed is not the Perfect Book!

This was the first time I ever studied the classic of philosophy, the 'Tao Te Ching.' The notes by Yi-Ping Ong are exceedingly helpful, especially considering that I am a silly Westerner that is positively ignorant about Chinese history and culture. Her introduction was also extremely enlightening and allowed even a novice to grasp the major principles of Lao Tzu's philosophy. The translation by Charles Muller was easy to understand (but I cannot compare it to other translations). An excellent book and a truly wondrous philosophy! I wish I could give it an infinite number of stars! To paraphrase the Master: the perfect book that can be reviewed is not the perfect book! This book is simply TOO good for a mere five stars!!!

9 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

Not a good choice if you want a real translation

As other reviewers have already pointed out, this book is not really a translation at all. It's basically a mish-mash of some of the original material and the author's own politically correct new age philosophy. For instance, Mitchell always uses the female pronoun in refering to sages, but that is incorrect. The original Chinese is gender-neutral. There are also many omissions in this translation. Some of the best passages from the original Tao Te Ching are nowhere to be found in this book. The reason this book has become so popular is that, well, people are fairly gullible. Most do not know Chinese -- I on the other hand am a native speaker despite being Caucasian -- so they trust the opinion of academics and scholars. Unfortunately, in this case these learned folks have really dropped the ball. They don't have to be critical, but at least they should refrain from calling this book authentic or authoritative. The truth is that it is neither. Barnes & Noble has many other translations available. I advise people to look at the other choices.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

A must for the ages.

This is the book you need to condense the teachings of many other holy books into one. And you can carry it with you and keep it close to you for daily inspiration.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Great Translation

If you are only going to read one version, this should be it. A very easy to read translation.

Ideally, you should read this along with a more traditional translation - you'll get the most out of the text that way. When you read more than one translation, you really start to form your own unique conclusions, and that is the most important part.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Very Insightful

I truly believe that this is a suberb source of wisdom on the Tao. It is such an interesting method of thinking and can be applied quite easily to any other religous background. I enjoyed reading it and sharing in the words of Lao Tzu. To compare with other translations, I thought that this one was rather well done. It is indeed worth reading.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Recommended

A great book on wisdom from the Tao. Even though the true author of this book is unknown (and even if its more than one person who wrote it) it still provides useful solutions to some of our spiritual and ethical problems.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

seriously, "Highly Recommended - you must check it out!!"

this is a feel good, slap your forehead and go "duh, of course" listen....seriously, very calming and something I've been listening to daily and thoroughly enjoying.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

It is the most faithful and satisfying translation for me, a Chinese

I am a Chinese. I like Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching or Tao Te Sutra very much. I searched and read many English translations, but I was always not very satisfied with their translations comparing the original Chinese meanings. After I read this book, I think it is the most faithful and satisfying English version. The translator understood Lao Tzu completely and never gave excess transcendental meanings. I am wondering who is translator of this book, why there is no introduction and the biography of the translator'? I really appreciate if who can tell me the translator with his biography.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Beautiful Translation

This is my favorite translation of the Tao Te Ching. It is easy to read and a joy to learn.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Not a Translation

This is not a translation of the Dao De Jing. This is an interpretation. Stephen Mitchell puts his personal spin on many passages and teachers of Asian Religion an Philosophy warn against his writing on this subject. When compared to the original text there is much that differs. This is a version that incorporates more new age western thinking than classic Daoist thought. If you're looking for comforting ideas this is the text for you, but if you're looking for Doaist text try the translation by Red Pine

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A great book!!

Once I pick this book up I can't put it down. It was to me recommended by a friend. The author explains the text well.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The second best book ever next to The Bible

Tao is like water. Water is soft but outlasts the hard, finds a lower place and benefits everything.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

the purest translation

I've been given other versions of the Tao de Ching to read, but none have shone the quality and the essence of the original author as I believe this one by Stephen Mitchell does. It's one of those books you read very slowly, again and again, and let the beauty of it sink in to your being. It's truth has given me a peace like nothing else-- a sidewards glance and acceptance of the paradox of life. My version is a hard copy with a ribbon page saver, which I relish! Thank you!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

great wisdom

I think a lot more people should read this book because it helps people see clearer. Young people should really read this not as a required book but as a book that can help them into their journey into adulthood.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great Gift, Hardcover Tao Te Ching

This book is a fun and happy presentation of the Tao Te Ching with good translations. I would definately recommend it as both a piece of literature and art. It's the kind of book that sparks conversation on a coffee table. Peace.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Ok.....

I was going to use this as a demigod camp, but........ nevermind

To you peoole

You are wrong. Just stop. Major issues

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Daniel

He thr.usts into her harder, his dik hitting her g-spot. He starts kissing her and groping her huge b.oobs, his dik growing inside of her

Teyla

She gasps she can feel his dik grow and she feels close to getting pregn.ant.