Tao Te Ching: A New English Version

great translation

Translation is great, love the use of both 'he' and 'she' throughout. As the author points out, the original Chinese is gender-neutral - so the use of both he and she makes it appealing to myself as a woman because I find the use of 'he' all the time in other texts to be annoying. It is nice that this translation uses both. Thought-provoking yet relaxing. Easy read, but to really grasp it, it should be read slowly or read through multiple times. Very refreshing read that I keep near me always now.

2 out of 2 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.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Buy

A great book. Insightful, intellectual, and impossible to put down. A spiritual must read.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Ahhh, The Way

I have read many versions and translations of The Tao Te Ching. This one flows like the water of a stream. It is the true embodiement of the Tao. I highly recommend this and most other of Stephen Mitchell's books.

1 out of 1 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.

The best

Clearly the best translation. Captures the meaning, humor and depth of Tao.

A Book to live by

If I could only have 3 books - this would be top on my list

Mind Magic

This little pocket book contains great wisdom. It's depth and simplicity are its best features. Those who read for knowledge and wisdom will find this little book a gem. I take it everywhere I go and try to read at least one page a day. Food for the Soul.

Quite Possibly My Favorite Translation

While many purists don't care for this translation, I think it makes the ancient wisdom of the Tao accessible to the modern reader. I like the fact it is modernized and in today's language.

May not be for you if you are a traditionalist, but great for those unfamiliar with the Tao as well as Reform Taoists, such as myself.

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.

Easy Enlightment

an excellent book to teach in basic language the philosopy of 'The Way' as written by Lao Tzu. A very deep and eye opening account of how life is and how it should be in order to to attain internal and external peace.

This is a wonderful intepretation

As some reviewers have noted, this is not an exact translation but more of a intepretation that is aimed at the modern reader (and in defense of the book, it says just that on the back cover and description). If you are some Chinese philosophy teacher then no, you probably won't like this book. But if you are like 99% of the population than this is a wonderful introduction to the basic Taoism teachings and ideas. Look at this book as a starting point to understanding the basics and then if you are interested perhaps you can go for a more true translation of the text. But for people to give this a bad review is ridiculous. The writing is beautiful and very easy to comprehend and digest. It's also a very small pocket edition that is nice to carry around and read a few passages whenever you have time to kill. This book can be easily read in one sitting but contains some great ideas and Taoist basics that will give many people lots to think about in their daily lives.

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

are you joking?

This book may be an attractive read, but if you are really looking for a good translation of the Tao Te Ching, and are really interested in the values and teachings of Taoism, don't bother yourself with this book.

Very Very Inspiring!

This book was a gift from a great friend of mine about fifteen years ago. I still read it from time to time because it gives me a different message each time I read it. These passages touch our hearts in different ways depending on where we are in my life. I cherish this book just like I cherish the friendship I have with the great person who gave this to me. This same friend also gave me a different book a while ago called 'The Ever-Transcending Spirit' by Toru Sato. I really really love it too! This book is more concrete in its explanations but the central message is the same. Appreciate the life you are given. Love, care for, and respect everyone and everything around you. The most respectful person is the person who can keep his or her heart open no matter what happens. Enjoy the wonders of life!

A Powerful Way to Live

The Tao Te Ching is a beautiful writing and Stephen Mitchell has translated it in a wonderful way. This version is concise and easy to understand. In the back pages of the book, more detailed explainations are made of the various chapters. The poetry of Lao-tzu has been a wonderful guide to help me live life in a much more powerful way. The Tao teaches a peaceful way of life. I would recommend this book to anyone.

The Tao of Now

Excellent selection in the way of Eastern philosophy. A must for anyone interested in developing a new way of lateral thinking. A handbook for living

Questionable translation

There is no doubt Stephen Mitchell's translation is one of the most beautiful and fluent versions. The problems of this translation, however, lie in the author's view of Tao-te Ching as a religious/spiritual book, and his obvious personal love of Zen. Tao-te ching is not a religious book, it is the basic philosophy of Chinese Taoism. The Taoism philosophy has been deeply inbedded in Chinese minds and culture. It is simply an everyday-live philosophy, and it's meant for every body. This beautifully worded translation unfortunately mystified Tao-te Ching as a spiritual guide, and somehow tranformed it into a book full of Zen concepts. For English translation, I would stick with Arthur Waley's 'the way and its power', or R.G. Henricks' translation if I ignore the part about immortality.

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