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Tao Teh Ching

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I always appreciate a translation of the Tao Te Ching by a native speaker of Chinese who is also fluent in English. John C.H. Wu is just that and is one of my recommended translators for friends choosing a Tao Te Ching. Wu gives the Chinese text adjacent to each chapter in English, and a translation that Thomas Merton calls superb. I must agree with Merton. Chinese idoms and the nuances of the language are familiar territory to the translator here and this becomes obvious in his very readable and clear translation.

Why read a version of the Tao Teh Ching translated by some American who thought Taoism was something "exotic" when you can have this one--written by an earthy man born and raised in Ningpo? As Wu once said of himself, "I was initiated early into the mysteries of paradox."

"True words are not fancy
Fancy words are not true"

The ancient wisdom flows across the centuries to illuminate us. The simple sentences are like calm seas, they have a great depth and greater treasures beneath, to be revealing only to them who dive and seek them.

"There is nothing better than to know that you don't know"

The whole text is laced with wisdom, insight, instruction and knowledge. A must read for everyone interested in Taoism, philosophy, morality, spirituality or with the plain desire to benefit from the immortal thoughts and works of this ancient great!

The Tao Teh Ching is one of the best books ever written. It can be spiritual, or it can be secular. It can be philisophical, or it can be practical and earthy. As a Taoist, I can tell you that this is one of the best translations available.

Since there are multiple ways to translate the text, the reader should familiarize him/her self with more than one translation. Due to the poetic dialect used in the text and the use of various plays on words, a particular line can have multiple meanings. In addition, some translators tend to edit out/modify what they feel are mistakes on the part of the original. For this reason, no one single translation is a complete work.

Furthermore, this text should be viewed within the context of Taoism's shamanic origins and traditions. To refrain from doing so, would remove the message from it's original context. Then again, the text has been re-interpreted many times by various elements of Chinese society, so an originally intended defenition may be somewhat moot in our time. The great thing about the text, is that it can be (and has been) re-interpreted in any historic period, and still retain it's unique message.

The text is a series of verses offering advice on how to lead a virtuous life in the context of the Tao, advice to a ruler on benevolence, and a guide to becoming a sage. Since the meanings are multiple, it can also be interpreted in the context of martial arts (Taiji Quan,) and various other pursuits. All in all, a valuable text for anyone looking to expand their spiritual views. A must for any scholar of Taoism.

Tao Teh Ching is a monumental work. Unlike other religious texts, the Tao Teh Ching is barely 5000 letters spread over 81 single-page poetic passages. You can probably read thru it in a couple hours or less. But for the serious reader, it can take a lifetime of study and contemplation. In ancient times, scholars in China and Korea really did spend a lifetime on this one text, not only sudying, but transcribing it, discussing it, and abiding by its tenets in their daily lives. I've myself pored over it many times in Chinese, Korean and now English, and every time I read it I cannot but be amazed by the wisdom of Lao Tse (or, as some allege, the group of people who contributed to this text).

The problem with English, or I suppose any language not associated with Chinese, is that it is almost impossible to translate Tao Teh Ching with sufficient coherency. Chinese words are each and all very efficient, in that virtually every single "letter" is replete with meaning. Therefore, whereas the Chinese may use 10 words to describe something, English might require 10 times that words to adequately translate the meaning. For example, in the second passage, third stanza, the translated text says, "therefore, the Sage manages his affairs without Ado." What does "without Ado" mean? In chinese this is stated in two letters as "Mu Wi" - non-action. It does not mean to sit back and not participate or instigate any activity. Rather, "Mu Wi" means doing things in a very natural, spontaneous way that is not forced, does not create conflict and has no secular motives. As there are no secular motives behind the action, it is as if the Sage does not "act" in the way other poeple act. His actions are like breathing, and almsot imperceptible; thus it is as if he does not act. Concepts like "Mu Wi" and "Mu Ji" - non-knowledge - abound in Tao Teh Ching. These cannot simply be translated away with a couple english words.

In short, a Tao Teh Ching ranslation requires pages and pages of footnotes to accurately reflect the rich meaning behind every passage. Moreover, many passages can be read in more than one way. In fact, different translations sometimes say radically different things about the same passage precisely because of this ambiguity. Any serious translation of Tao Teh Ching should point these out.

Tao Teh Ching is very concise, and written in a poetic style. But unless you are versed in ancient Chinese language and tomes, you should really consult the literally thousands of guides that scholars wrote over the years to help you read thru the text. Tao Teh Ching is not some kind of Buddhist sutra that you can just recite over and over without knowing what it means. It is deeply profound and rich with hidden subtexts. In China and Korea many of these guides - some of them more than a thousand years old - still survive. I've yet to find an enligsh guide. But I am sure they exist. PLease find them; refrain from reading the translation by itself, for most times all you will see are a jumble of meaningless words.

This Book is without a doubt a book of ageless wisdom. It is probably the best book ever written for self-improvement and gaining enlightenment.

I keep a collection of small books in various jacket pockets and find them very useful for when I'm bored or in need of spiritual input. This particular version of the Tao Te Ching IS one of those small (11cm x 7cm) books that fits in your pocket and yet can be brought out as a quick read/ refresher.

And, having read a few translations, I've found this to be one of the clearest and most eloquent. The meaning is always understandable and the pithy richness of Taoist thought comes across so powerfully, that it only takes 1 or 2 verses for feelings of joy, enlightenment and inner peace to start coursing over you.

The one downside is that there is no commentary or index. If you are just starting out on your Taoist journey, then I'd recommend Wayne Dyer's Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao first, and then have this as a top-up for Lunch breaks and times when you have a minute or two to spare.

Needless to say, my version is filled with underlining & notes, as I always find the clear expression of concepts so wise, profound and insightful that I dare not trust my Swiss-Cheese memory with losing them!

Anyway, if your looking for an excellent pocket version of the Tao Te Ching, then this comes thoroughly recommended. If your looking for a different interpretation and space isn't an issue, then I've found this version: Tao Te Ching equally powerful.

And whatever happens, I wish you luck on your journey towards spiritual enlightenment.

They say this is the best and it is. Very well done.

This is my favourite translation of the Tao Teh Ching, but then again it's the first I ever read so I may be biased. To me it strikes that perfect balance between poetic expression and down-to-earth practicality.

At first, you may be struck by the simplicity and direct power of its message. On the surface the author seems to say "...relax, and go with the flow." But that's not the half of it. The Tao Teh Ching is a seemingly inexhaustible source of wisdom and perspective on life as a whole.

As you read and re-read this short book, you may find yourself thinking about things differently. You may catch yourself musing over abstract notions such as the ineffectuality of language (Ch. 1), emptiness (Ch.11), paradox (Ch.41) and wisdom (Ch.81). You will also encounter immediately practical advise on such topics as good government (Ch.17), the value of learning (Ch.20), power through yielding (Ch.66) and social unrest (ch. 75).

Buy this book. Read it all in one sitting, or take it one chapter per day and really chew on what is being said, slowly. A copy of this accompanies me everywhere. I consider it indispensable.