A landmark translation of one of the most popular works of world literture, this edition of the Tao Te Ching is based on the Ma-wang-tui manuscripts.
Tao Te Ching
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Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Chinese --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Original Language: Chinese --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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52 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This translation of the *Tao Te Ching* is based on the 1973 discovery of ancient silk manuscripts of the text at Ma-wang-tui in central China. For those familiar with the *Tao Te Ching*, this translation will be surprising. The chapters are not in the original order, and a few chapters, familiar from later versions, did not exist in this early version. Unlike most translations of this text, the first half of this translation focuses on TE (which Mair translates as "integrity"), and the second half focuses on TAO. Thus, the famous opening line (here translated as "The ways that can be walked are not the eternal Way") is found here as the first line of chapter 45. Mair provided extensive introduction, annotations, and "Afterword". Clearly, his primary concerns are philological in nature. While I would not recommend this to someone reading the *Tao Te Ching* for the first time, this translation could be quite helpful for someone comparing translations and trying to come to a deeper understanding of the text.
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By Gerald Ford
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Victor Mair is a well-known scholar of Classical Chinese, and I feel that of the many translations of the Tao Te Ching, his is the best by far! Thanks in part due to the discovery of the Ma Wang Tui scrolls, this book provides a refreshing change to the cookie-cutter translations I have seen in the past, and in the back of the book goes into great deal on why he translated thing the way he did.
As a amateur in Classical Chinese myself, I feel that Mr. Mair's translation is definitely the most accurate in relation to the general mood of the time in China, when many other such classics were being written (Confucius's Analects for example). Many of these classics drew upon the same pool of ideas, and this particular translation shows the mood of that time better than any other I have seen. Most translations tend to interpret words and phrases in a modern light, but Mair's is true to philosophy of the time.
I also like the detailed analysis that Mair does in comparing the Tao with other religions in Asia (in particular Judaism and Hinduism) and how they also drew upon a common pool of ideas prevalent at the time. I believe he makes a very strong case for this.
For those who are not interested in the historical aspect of Taoism, I feel they will still enjoy this book very much because this translation preserves the spiritual mystery of the Tao Te Ching (another aspect most translations lack), and lets the reader interpret the meaning as he/she sees fit.
Anyhow, in closing, a fanstatic translation, that stands above the rest. I strongly recommend this for both scholars and enthusiasts alike.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Over the course of the last 15 years or so I've seen maybe six English translations of the Tao Te Ching, including those of Red Pine and Henricks. I'm not qualified to speak to the accuracy of Mair's effort, but I have found it to be far and away the most poetic and powerful that I've encountered. This truely sings in places, as Mair attempts (so he says) to impart not only the meaning of each verse, but its approximate effect as well.
However, Mair is not shy (nor is he intrusive) when it comes to pointing out awkward and impenetrable language or derivative notions wherever he believes he encounters them. I find this kind of frankness instructive and refreshing. It led me to a greater appreciation for the rich historical context of both the text and the ideas that it conveys.
However, Mair is not shy (nor is he intrusive) when it comes to pointing out awkward and impenetrable language or derivative notions wherever he believes he encounters them. I find this kind of frankness instructive and refreshing. It led me to a greater appreciation for the rich historical context of both the text and the ideas that it conveys.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Informed commentary
The translator's commentary added so much value to this work. Translators inevitably must make editorial decisions, and with an ancient work like this for which we have no original... Read more
Published 16 days ago by Francis Stoneman
1.0 out of 5 stars
Stephen Mitchell provides a better translation
I bought this copy of the Tao Te Ching for a friend and was disappointed when it arrived. Owning the Stephen Mitchell translation myself, I feel Mitchell's is a far better version... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Torrie Adams
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent translation
This translation uses newly found materials to shed further insight into the meaning of the work of Lao Tzu. I am glad I added this to my library.
Published 2 months ago by Devin J. Starlanyl
2.0 out of 5 stars
Expected Better!
With so many five and four star ratings, and with an impressive introduction that appeared on the sample sent to my Kindle, I expected a must better translation of the classic. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Samuel M. Stone
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tao Te Ching
For those who are not interested in the historical aspect of Taoism, I feel they will still enjoy this book very much because this translation preserves the spiritual mystery of... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Roger Dougherty
5.0 out of 5 stars
exactly as advertised
The book arrived very timely. Its condition was exactly as described. I am very happy with the purchase.
Also, I highly recommend Mair's translation of Tao Te Ching. Read more
Also, I highly recommend Mair's translation of Tao Te Ching. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Pearl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dip in, the dip deepens
Author claims to base his rearrangement of sections of the Tao Te Ching on earlier texts than usually used. Read more
Published on June 21, 2009 by M. Eigen
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Masterful Translation
Victor Mair is as much a poet as he is a scholar. This translation reads wonderfully, and while it may not be as technically detailed as some other translations of the Dao De... Read more
Published on January 7, 2009 by ssingh1
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Way to Do It
Dr. Mair does an excellent job again. Despite or because of his academic perspective, he treats the Tao Te Ching with great respect not only as a work of literature or of wisdom,... Read more
Published on December 2, 2007 by Helper Joe
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Most Poetic Translation of the Tao Te Ching Around
I have read several other versions and this one is by far the best in terms of its poetry. Also, interestingly, the two books, Tao and Te are in reverse order to most other... Read more
Published on July 27, 2007 by Natasha Salvo
