Texts of Taoism (Volume 2) [Paperback]

James Legge (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Texts of Taoism | Publication Date: June 1, 1962

Volume 2 of sacred writings of mystical Chinese religion reveal Tao, the way — the key to living an obstacle-free life. Based on wu-wei, taking no unnatural action, it would make individual existence like the flow of water with no obstacles to impede. Famed Sinologist here offers standard English version of major Taoist writings.

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (June 1, 1962)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486209911
• ISBN-13: 978-0486209913
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #261,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Compendium of Resources, July 26, 2000

By 

Webster Forrest (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Texts of Taoism (Volume 1) (Paperback)

This is one of two volumes: the other bears the same title and is also published by Dover (available through Amazon.com). There are many texts in these two books which are of use to the student of Taoism. There is little sense in buying one volume without the other, since the writings of Chuang-Tzu are spread across the two volumes. These are excellent translations from the end of the 19th century, with copious notes. Part of an original series published by Oxford, called "The Sacred Books of the East". James Legge translated all of the Chinese classics in six volumes of the fifty volume series. Dover have published some of the more useful and popuar volumes. If you want to preview it, any major city library should have a copy of the whole set. These two volumes are a hugely rewarding investment for anyone inserested in learning about Taoism. The only downside is that here and there Legge expresses in the notes a certain hesitance to accept the full great wisdom of the texts (he himself was a Catholic missionary in China).

Taoism is a philosophy (and religion, even today) which has application for anyone who seeks to better their ability to cope with today's difficult environment. These translations are from this perspective not outdated at all.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Compendium of Resources, July 26, 2000

By 

Webster Forrest (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Texts of Taoism (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This is one of two volumes: the other bears the same title and is also published by Dover (available through Amazon.com). There are many texts in these two books which are of use to the student of Taoism. There is little sense in buying one volume without the other, since the writings of Chuang-Tzu are spread across the two volumes. These are excellent translations from the end of the 19th century, with copious notes. Part of an original series published by Oxford, called "The Sacred Books of the East". James Legge translated all of the Chinese classics in six volumes of the fifty volume series. Dover have published some of the more useful and popuar volumes. If you want to preview it, any major city library should have a copy of the whole set. These two volumes are a hugely rewarding investment for anyone inserested in learning about Taoism. The only downside is that here and there Legge expresses in the notes a certain hesitance to accept the full great wisdom of the texts (he himself was a Catholic missionary in China).

Taoism is a philosophy (and religion, even today) which has application for anyone who seeks to better their ability to cope with today's difficult environment. These translations are from this perspective not outdated at all.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dated Yet Worth While, March 18, 2009

By 

Demitri Pevzner (depends on time of year) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Texts of Taoism (Volume 1) (Paperback)

With a preface which expresses some rather dated views in light of more recent research (i.e. citing Lao Tzu as the founder of Taoism,) as well as some rather dated translation of the original texts(again in light or recent research,) this book is still a worth-while read for scholarly and the curious.

The text contains an early translation of the Tao Te Ching originating from a 1891 Oxford text book of the same title, using the Wade-Giles romanization. The commentary is given from a scholarly Christian perspective, but given the book's source, that is to be expected.

The texts presented, are the Tao Te Ching, and select writings of Cheng-Tzu. While there are better translations available in this day and age, this is still a useful historical resource for a newcomer to Taoism.