Tao Te Ching: A New English Version (Perennial Classics)
by Stephen Mitchell
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I'm an unbeliever and have been since the first time I played hooky from Sunday services and the Eye in the Sky didn’t say boo. So it may seem strange that I’m reviewing the Tao Te Ching, the widely known and influential Taoist text, written by Lao-Tzu and poetically translated in this edition by Stephen Mitchell. For me, the Tao Te Ching is more folk wisdom than religious treatise and is more useful than a million sermons.
Where the Tao Te Ching parts company with re...more
Where the Tao Te Ching parts company with re...more
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Read in January, 1995
recommends it for:
everyone
I am tempted to select this as my all-time favorite book. I just lack the nerve required to narrow the field to one.
There are many versions of the Tao Te Ching, both with and without commentaries. I comment on this version and the rather ancient 1944 version by Witter Bynner. I recommend reading at least two. Like floral bouquets, each one draws the eye to different expressions of beauty.
I have several of Stephen Mitchell’s books because I am very fond of his prose. He explains that h...more
There are many versions of the Tao Te Ching, both with and without commentaries. I comment on this version and the rather ancient 1944 version by Witter Bynner. I recommend reading at least two. Like floral bouquets, each one draws the eye to different expressions of beauty.
I have several of Stephen Mitchell’s books because I am very fond of his prose. He explains that h...more
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Read in March, 2008
I loved Mitchell's translation. I feel as if I have no right to comment on it--having read no other translations--but I'm going to anyway. Mitchell claims that his translation is an attempt to capture the mind of Lao-Tzu, rather than the words, which can be a frightening plan, allowing for all sorts of liberties and textual mutilations. However, for the poems in which he took the greatest liberties, Mitchell included his reasoning and a more verbatim translation in the endnotes. Also, he alte...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
everyone
why should you read this book? it may change your way of thinking and free you from taking actions of disharmony. it may get you in touch with a natural state of being.
the commentary on local government and law provides a different way of thinking than we are used to in the United States. the author takes a local community-minded stance, and is about trusting the people instead of imposing law on them.
all of the worlds leaders should read this book.
"if you want to govern the p...more
the commentary on local government and law provides a different way of thinking than we are used to in the United States. the author takes a local community-minded stance, and is about trusting the people instead of imposing law on them.
all of the worlds leaders should read this book.
"if you want to govern the p...more
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Read in May, 2008
I collect translations of the Tao Te Ching because I figure that if I read enough different ones I may finally understand this beautiful but elusive work. Ursala K. LeGuin did one (not bad; not as good as I hoped). Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English did one that is still my favorite, because it's clear and simple. But recently I stumbled on this one by Stephen Mitchell from 1988, and it's wonderful. The language is straightforward and colloquial and puts some of the more opaque chapters in a new l...more
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80
If a country is governed wisely,
its inhabitants will be content.
They enjoy the labor of their hands
and don't waste time inventing
labor-saving machines.
Since they dearly love their homes,
they aren't interested in travel.
There may be a few wagons and boats,
but these don't go anywhere.
There may be an arsenal of weapons,
but nobody ever uses them.
People enjoy their food,
take pleasure in being with their families,
spend weekends working in their gardens,
delight in the ...more
If a country is governed wisely,
its inhabitants will be content.
They enjoy the labor of their hands
and don't waste time inventing
labor-saving machines.
Since they dearly love their homes,
they aren't interested in travel.
There may be a few wagons and boats,
but these don't go anywhere.
There may be an arsenal of weapons,
but nobody ever uses them.
People enjoy their food,
take pleasure in being with their families,
spend weekends working in their gardens,
delight in the ...more
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(1 person liked it)
4 comments
Read in January, 2000
It's not like I'm ever really "done" with this book... it accompanies me on many a journey. A good friend of mine had a dog-eared copy that he'd dragged up the 3000-foot El Capitan several times; yes, it's that essential! This is by far the most accessible version of the Tao Te Ching that I've encountered, without obscure language. The references are a little light compared with Red Pine's translation, however.
I refer to this little gem often, have given away several copies, and di...more
I refer to this little gem often, have given away several copies, and di...more
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Read in November, 2007
This is not so much a translation as a reinterpretation of Lao-tzu's masterpiece for a 21st century audience. Mitchell actually credits the original Star Wars movies as the impetus for his renewed interest in the Tao, but thankfully he leaves out the pop-culture references. Instead, Mitchell imbues Lao-tzu's observations with new poetic force while staying closely aligned with the principles of the original Tao.
My favorite passage is from Mitchell's take on verse 17 of the Tao:
"The ...more
My favorite passage is from Mitchell's take on verse 17 of the Tao:
"The ...more
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Read in January, 2008
"If you stay in the center
and embrace death with your whole heart,
you will endure forever."
This version of the beloved Tao Te Ching was translated by someone who doesn't even really know Chinese. . . Stephen Mitchell writes that he worked from Paul Carus's literal translation, as well as consulting numerous translations into English, German, and French. I'll admit, this sounds a little fishy. When I thumbed through dozens of translations at the bookstore, though, this...more
and embrace death with your whole heart,
you will endure forever."
This version of the beloved Tao Te Ching was translated by someone who doesn't even really know Chinese. . . Stephen Mitchell writes that he worked from Paul Carus's literal translation, as well as consulting numerous translations into English, German, and French. I'll admit, this sounds a little fishy. When I thumbed through dozens of translations at the bookstore, though, this...more
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Read in January, 2004
I have a number of copies of the Tao Te Ching and this is one of my favorites. The language is accessible and the hardback version is beautiful.
"If you want to shrink something, you must first allow it to expand. If you want to get rid of something, you must first allow it to flourish. If you want to take something, you must first allow it to be given. This is called the subtle perception of the way things are.
The soft overcomes the hard. The slow overcomes the fast. Let...more
"If you want to shrink something, you must first allow it to expand. If you want to get rid of something, you must first allow it to flourish. If you want to take something, you must first allow it to be given. This is called the subtle perception of the way things are.
The soft overcomes the hard. The slow overcomes the fast. Let...more
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I read this book daily for about a year as an act of meditation, and it affected and changed me deeply. At first, the ideas in the Tao felt very foreign and, in some cases, wrong to me, because they are so opposed to American ways of thinking about things like individuality and the way we face challenges. But as I continued to read and process daily, I found the concepts to be very calming and I began to let go of a lot of anger and other destructive emotions. For the first time in my life, I fe...more
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Read in January, 1989
recommends it for:
Anyone interested in wisdom.
Lao Tzu is one of the wisest authors I've read. Stephen Mitchell is more a coauthor than a translator, but he's great at what he does. The writing is simple and elegant throughout, and there are many memorable and important passages. (E.g., "Care about people's approval and you make yourself their prisoner.") The TAO TE CHING seems to make me a better person every time I read it--especially this version.
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Read in November, 2004
recommends it for:
anyone looking for answers
I absolutely love this book. It is astounding to me that such simple words can have so much depth. I have given up on highlighting favorite quotes, as every time I read it I find something new. And that is truly the nature of this work. The literal meanings of the words are so vague that they can be applied to almost any situation. No matter what I am looking for, I can come to this book and find answers and re-assurance. Like the Bible, there seems to be a passage for any condition.
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Read in January, 2003
recommended to Tom by:
My momrecommends it for: Anybody, especially one who is finding their way
The ultimate! The Tao really is THE WAY
This has been around for so long, the knowledge is amazing! When i am searching for the way or troubled i pick up the Tao te Ching and read a few proverbs. Often times it helps me step back, live simply, and flow with life.
This is the ultimate
Seriously this book rocks, my mom gave it to me when i was backpacking for 10 weeks in Utah helping to find my way back when i was 16. It has helped to guide me ever since, i think it is amazing.
This has been around for so long, the knowledge is amazing! When i am searching for the way or troubled i pick up the Tao te Ching and read a few proverbs. Often times it helps me step back, live simply, and flow with life.
This is the ultimate
Seriously this book rocks, my mom gave it to me when i was backpacking for 10 weeks in Utah helping to find my way back when i was 16. It has helped to guide me ever since, i think it is amazing.
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Read in January, 1996
recommends it for:
philosophers, deep thinkers, pacifists.
The closest thing to a Bible in my world view, I've found Taoism to be the one belief system I can follow that allows me to feel good about myself. There is no guilt, control, or negativity to be found within these pages.
Instead, one finds a gentle wisdom in harmony with the natural order of things, being as an Uncarved Block and am Empty Vessel. There is great advice here for even a common person; there is no mysticism or spirituality, no sorcery or occult of any kind.
Instead, one finds a gentle wisdom in harmony with the natural order of things, being as an Uncarved Block and am Empty Vessel. There is great advice here for even a common person; there is no mysticism or spirituality, no sorcery or occult of any kind.
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Read in January, 1907
recommends it for:
Anyone with a brain.
This is a book of taoist understanding and Chinese / taoist proverbs. taoism is not a religion but, can be viewed as one if you'd like; it is not a philosphy but, again, can be viewed as such. taoism is what I like to call a universal truth. It does not force people to believe or to judge or to prepare to be judged. It does not compete, it does not occupy. taoism works with you and helps you along your path... YOUR path, not it's path.
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2 comments
Read in November, 2007
This is my new Bible. Meaning that I'm guilting myself to "read the whole thing!" and memorizing passages because they might help me more than the "oh you know it's just a little too late" lyrics floating around the cerebrum.
Here's one I like
When the gates of heaven open and shut, are you capable of keeping to the role of female?(?)
When your perception reaches to the four quarters, are you capable of not knowing anything?
Here's one I like
When the gates of heaven open and shut, are you capable of keeping to the role of female?(?)
When your perception reaches to the four quarters, are you capable of not knowing anything?
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Its pretty difficult to "rate" a book like this. I find it to be both frustratingly vague and spellbindingly profound all at once.It is the ultimate guide to letting go. Thats the best I can come up with at the moment. I love it; others will most likely find it pointless or intolerably cryptic. You could read it a thousand times and take something new away from it every time. Powerful imagery and beautiful poetry. A classic.
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I'm always reading this little book containing the essence of wisdom. For years I've read it again and again, one chapter every morning.
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2 comments
Beautiful and accessible; the English, as 'fluid as melting ice,' is a joy to read throughout. Mitchell's great talent is to communicate with the profound simplicity utterly appropriate for this task. The obscure has been made transparent and available. I bought this book because I have treasured Mtichell's The Book of Job, Gilgamesh and A Book of Psalms and it has proved to be another treasure.
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