Paperback, 156 pages
English language
Published Aug. 28, 1989 by Vintage.
For nearly two generations, Gia-fu Feng and Jane English's bestselling translation of the Tao Te Ching has been the standard for those seeking access to the wisdom of Taoist thought. Now Jane English and her long-time editor, Toinette Lippe, have revised and refreshed the translation so that it more faithfully reflects the Classical Chinese in which it was first written, taking into account changes in our own language and eliminating any lingering infelicities. They have retained the simple clarity of the original rendering of a sometimes seemingly obtuse spiritual text, a clarity that has made this version a classic in itself, selling over a million copies.
Written most probably in the sixth century B.C. by Lao Tsu, this esoteric but infintely practical book has been translated into English more frequently than any other work except the Bible. Gia-fu Feng and Jane English's superb translation—the most accessible and authoritative modern English …
For nearly two generations, Gia-fu Feng and Jane English's bestselling translation of the Tao Te Ching has been the standard for those seeking access to the wisdom of Taoist thought. Now Jane English and her long-time editor, Toinette Lippe, have revised and refreshed the translation so that it more faithfully reflects the Classical Chinese in which it was first written, taking into account changes in our own language and eliminating any lingering infelicities. They have retained the simple clarity of the original rendering of a sometimes seemingly obtuse spiritual text, a clarity that has made this version a classic in itself, selling over a million copies.
Written most probably in the sixth century B.C. by Lao Tsu, this esoteric but infintely practical book has been translated into English more frequently than any other work except the Bible. Gia-fu Feng and Jane English's superb translation—the most accessible and authoritative modern English translation—offers the essence of each word and makes Lao Tsu's teaching immediate and alive. This edition includes an introduction and notes by the well-known writer and scholar of philosophy and comparative religion, Jacob Needleman.
Profound. A beautiful text, even if I can't really comment on the translation. I've been wanting to explore Taoism between my Zen studies and I'm glad I reached out to this before any commentary on it, so I got to experience it unadulterated. A book that I will most likely read many times in the years to come.
It's rare to read a book and know, from nearly the first page, that you are beginning a lifelong relationship. I know that I will re-read, and re-read, and re-read this book. I know that I will give this book to friends, family, and my own children. I may end up re-reading this book once a year for the rest of my life.
I was not very familiar with the Tao Te Ching before reading this rendition, and I'm exceptionally glad this was my starting point. I have long been a fan of Le Guin, and her prose, and to read the wisdom from previous generations of humanity rendered through her unique lens is a gift.
This book took me so long to read because my brain recognized I needed to process as much as was possible in this first reading. Time will tell if future readings are faster or …
It's rare to read a book and know, from nearly the first page, that you are beginning a lifelong relationship. I know that I will re-read, and re-read, and re-read this book. I know that I will give this book to friends, family, and my own children. I may end up re-reading this book once a year for the rest of my life.
I was not very familiar with the Tao Te Ching before reading this rendition, and I'm exceptionally glad this was my starting point. I have long been a fan of Le Guin, and her prose, and to read the wisdom from previous generations of humanity rendered through her unique lens is a gift.
This book took me so long to read because my brain recognized I needed to process as much as was possible in this first reading. Time will tell if future readings are faster or slower.
