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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 299
EAN: 9780061142666
ISBN: 0061142662
Label: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 144
Publication Date: 2006-09-01
Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Product Release Date: 2006-09-05
Studio: Harper Perennial Modern Classics

In eighty-one brief chapters, Lao-tzu's Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, provides advice that imparts balance and perspective, a serene and generous spirit, and teaches us 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.

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

Customer Rating:
Review Summary: More Interpretation/Commentary than Translation
Review: I bought this book on a whim at a local bookstore. When I started reading it, something seemed a little off with the text. I started checking it against other versions online, and the phrasing and wording is way different from the majority of translations.

As someone who has knowledge of Greek and Hebrew, I know how tall an order it is to translate an ancient language faithfully, especially one where context is so key. I appreciate Mitchell's efforts and feel that this is an interesting book, but I felt a bit deceived by its label. To me, anyway, "A New English Version" suggested it was a translation, but that's not the case. It's _based_ on the Tao Te Ching and has some great insights in the form of his interpretation, but it's not a translation. This would be a great book to get after you already have two other translations of the Tao Te Ching, just to give a different perspective and make you think.

I don't yet have another version of the Tao Te Ching, so I returned this today. I'm checking out translations recommended by some of the other reviewers, and hopefully will find something that's poetic, yet faithful to the original tone and has lots of footnotes to mention alternative translations.

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Buyer Beware!
Review: I wish I had known that this wasn't a translation before buying. The author basically uses other people's translations and inserts is own perceptions to replace the wording in many of the verses. I was looking to purchase the Tao Te Ching not Mitchell's philosophy based on the Tao Te Ching. I actually bought the audio and stopped on verse 46. It was this verse that really stood out:

Mitchell's version 46:

When a country is in harmony with the Dao
The factories make trucks and tractors

When a country goes counter to the Dao
Warheads are stockpiled outside the cities

There is no greater illusion than fear
No greater wrong than preparing to defend yourself
No greater misfortune than having an enemy

Whoever can see through all fear will always be safe.


It is obvious from the above that the author took license with the original (because Lao Tzu would not have mentioned trucks, tractors, warheads, etc), but what is worse, if you review other translations, he obviously inserted his own pacifistic thinking into the version which changed the whole meaning (no greater wrong than trying to defend yourself for example). To illustrate, see the translation from Jonathan Star's book:

When Tao is present in the empire
men follow their own nature and riding horses work the fields

When Tao is absent from the empire
men go astray and war horses breed on sacred ground

There is no greater loss than losing Tao
No greater curse than desire
No greater tragedy than discontentment
No greater fault than selfishness

Contentment alone is enough
Indeed, the bliss of eternity can be found in your contentment


Jonathan Star's translation is more literal (in his book he provides the actual Chinese so you can check his translation). Mitchell's "version" is basically Tao Te Ching with Mitchell's own world view intermixed to the point that it changes the meaning of what is being said. He does this throughout his book.

Like I said in the title, Buyer Beware

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Perception shifted
Review: I made a point of reading this just one or two pages at a time, every day or other day, to really digest what I read and not rush through it. That was probably a good thing since it can be a little repetitive, so trying to soak it all up in one sitting could have felt monotonous. But when I reached the end and I closed my copy, I thought "everyone ought to read this, and I wish I could 'explain' it or share with others the feeling that it left in me, but.. well.. it would be like 'pointing at the moon.'" I'm sure I'm still a poor student, but I did feel a change through reading it-- a sense of real potential for some peace and clarity and flexibility-- and now I'm trying to dwell on that and cultivate it.

I highly recommend this if you're searching for an inroad to a deep spirituality unburdened by religious dogmas.

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Wow, Tao Te Ching on Audio CD!
Review: Tao Te Ching by ancient spiritualist and teacher Lao Tzu has been one of the most enlightening works I have ever read. I have seen many translations, but Stephen Mitchell's, in my opinion, has the most heart. When I saw there was an audio CD, my heart soared! I love to listen to inspirational works on my drive to and from work, and this is now one of my favorite "listens". Great item, great price!

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Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Clearly written
Review: The author has done an exceptional job with this text. Great book for anyone.

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