Lieh-Tzu: A Taoist Guide to Practical Living [Paperback]

Eva Wong (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 11, 2001

The Lieh-tzu is a collection of stories and philosophical musings of a sage of the same name who lived around the fourth century BCE. Lieh-tzu's teachings range from the origin and purpose of life, the Taoist view of reality, and the nature of enlightenment to the training of the body and mind, communication, and the importance of personal freedom. This distinctive translation presents Lieh-tzu as a friendly, intimate companion speaking directly to the reader in a contemporary voice about matters relevant to our everyday lives.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Perhaps the best-known sacred texts of Taoism are the Tao Te Ching and the Chung Tzu. Yet the Lieh-Tzu is familiar to Taoists as a practical guide to the workings of everyday life. Although philosophic in its approach to the creation of the world, the Lieh-Tzu focuses primarily on matters like the nature and development of happiness, the emptiness of rank and wealth, and the value of trust and confidence. Wong, director of studies at the Fung Loy Kok Taoist Temple in Denver, offers a bright and lively translation that captures the essential insights of the Lieh-Tzu. Recommended primarily for academic and large public libraries.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A bright and lively translation that captures the essential insights of the Lieh-Tzu."—Library Journal

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Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (December 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570628998
• ISBN-13: 978-1570628993
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #127,820 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Taoist Work, August 3, 2002

By 

Mark Pollock "educator" (Davis, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lieh-Tzu: A Taoist Guide to Practical Living (Paperback)

The Lieh Tzu is the one of the less known Taoist classics, yet perhaps the most accessable and enjoyable one. It's a collection of 111 stories said to be by the noted scholar Leih-Tzu around the fourth century BCE. (Who's it really by? Who knows? And who cares?)

The stories cover a variety of topics, such as choosing what is important, how to lead a group of people, archery, choosing ones targets well, Confucius, why one chooses to be a Taoist, and much more.

My favorite quote is "Enlightenment is a very normal experience, attainable by everyone. Therefore, there is nothing mysterious or secretive about it."

A simply wonderful, tranquil book that is enjoyable to read and contemplate.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great material, but --, December 7, 2004

By 

wiredweird "wiredweird" (Earth, or somewhere nearby) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lieh-Tzu: A Taoist Guide to Practical Living (Paperback)

Lao Tzu, the first author of Taoism, described abstruse, metaphorical scenes in abstruse language. Chuang Tzu uses prosaic descriptions, but still described philosophical ideal rather than gritty facts. Lieh Tzu came later. He used prosaic words to describe prosaic, everyday scenes, and to find enlightenment in them.

Many ring true for me. The "yellow mare" reminded me of a technician who was finely attuned to the circuits we used. He was always wrong in his diagnosis onf the problems he showed me. That never mattered. He was always right in pointing out that there was a problem, often based on small clues that I might have missed.

Lieh discusses honesty and friendship, poverty and happiness, great riches and death. Still, the language is always modern and clear, and a good supplement to Chuang and Lao.

My problem, though, is that this isn't a translation. It's Wong's interpretation. She says, early on, "Instead of a straight translation of the sematics of the text, I have decided to present the 'voice' of Lieh Tzu." As much as I like Wong's text, it troubles me. Translation is never exact, but there are degrees of inexactness. I am concerned about how much Lieh's text has suffered.

This is good anyway, and I'll probably come back to it eve if I find a more scholarly Lieh Tzu. This is readable and thought-provoking, no matter what it's authenticity.

//wiredweird

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well-kept secret of Taoist wisdom., April 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: LIEH-TZU (Shambhala Dragon Editions) (Paperback)

This book, unlike the more well known works by Lao-Tse and Chuang-Tse, is mostly made up of stories, and is very well suited to children. I read my library's copy, and I wish I could buy a copy to keep for myself, and for my children someday. It is an immensely comforting and wise text we owe to Lieh-Tse, a Taoist master who lived about two centuries after Lao-Tse.