Product Description

Lao-tzu's Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is the classic manual on the art of living, and one of the wonders of the world. In eighty-one brief chapters, the Tao Te Ching looks at the basic predicament of being alive and gives advice that imparts balance and perspective, a serene and generous spirit. This book is about wisdom in action. It teaches how to work for the good with the effortless skill that comes from being in accord with the Tao (the basic principle of the universe) and applies equally to good government and sexual love; to child rearing, business, and ecology.

Stephen Mitchell's bestselling version has been widely acclaimed as a gift to contemporary culture.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20296 in Books
• Published on: 1992-10-07
• Released on: 1992-08-28
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

-- The New Republic
"Beautiful and accessible; the English, as 'fluid as melting ice,' is a joy to read throughout."

James Frey, author of A Million Little Pieces
"I have read many translations of this ancient text but Mitchell's is by far the best."

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Chinese

Customer Reviews

Best Translation of the Tao te Ching
I have read numerous translations of the Tao te Ching. My opinion is that this is by far the best, no second place compared to this.

Much of this book is not literal translations but very effective poetry to get each of the messages to Western readers. Literal translations are never 100% possible. The nuances of different languages and different times would require that the reader be both a historian and a linguist.

The other books by Stephan Mitchell also show that he has incredible spiritual insight for translating foreign language works.

CD Audiobook not that great for Tao Te Ching
The Tao Te Ching is an excellent book worthy of intense study a-la Wayne Dyer who took a full year to study each verse for three or four days straight. Thus I'd recommend (regardless of translation) the printed book for the Tao To Ching... on audio CD it goes by far too quickly.

As to Mitchell's interpretation... it isn't terrible, other than sometimes using "he" and other times "she" for the "master". Use one or the other but don't keep skipping back and forth - it's rather annoying. Other than that, I have no severe issues with the translation.

Does not wear well
When I first encountered it I liked this version of the Tao Te Ching. As time has gone by I have found it less and less interesting and in some cases actually irritating. Some of it I still enjoy, e.g. his rendition of number 9. But with others, e.g. number 50 it is apparent he has substituted something of his own in place of Lao Tzu's thoughts. This book would be better titled "Thoughts of Stephen Mitchell found on looking into Lao Tzu"