In an expanded format, enhanced with new calligraphy, is a timely and welcomereissue of the classic of Eastern philosophy and religious thought that sold over 200,000 copies in its previous edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
While perhaps not the most scholarly accurate translation, this is far and away (IMHO) the best for daily reading and meditation. Bynner's foreward notes that the Chinese sparkles with rhythm and rhyme -- not a surprise, since most people could not read at the time and had to remember things verbatim. Language has power because of rhyme and rhythm as well as the meaning of the words, and thus Bynner's translation is the best one to have in your pocket at the beach, sitting on the porch with a beer or glass of wine, or reading to (or with) someone you love. I have spent 30 years repeating "Let life ripen and then fall, force is not the way at all, deny the way of life and you are dead." I have and sometimes read other versions (Chinese cannot really be translated to English), but this is the one I read for pleasure.
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I own about a half-dozen versions of the Tao Te Ching, ranging from the scholarly to the poetic, and Bynner's version strikes me as head and shoulders above the rest.
"He who knows does not say, and he who says does not know." Bynner avoids the lecture trap and captures the spirit of the original in a gentle way that speaks subtly to the reader and lingers in the heart.
34 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If I had only one book to read and re-read, this would be it. Far and away my favorite translation of the book that is part of my blood and bone. I've memorized much of it, and have read it aloud onto CD as a gift for my friends. A treasure. "Let life ripen and then fall. Force is not the way at all."
Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Best Translation
With seemingly a million translations of Lao Tzu to choose from, why choose this one? Having read several different versions, I sincerely found this to be the most accessible and... Read more
Published 15 months ago by DAUBER
A breezy, beginners introduction to the Dao Dejing.
This is far from an academically sound, scholarly translation of the Dao Dejing, but it is nonetheless my favorite, for a few reasons.
1. Read more
1. Read more
Published on October 30, 2009 by E. Godfrey
Lao Tzu's Way of Life Translated by Witter Bynner: One of the best...
In simplicity and directness, Wytter Bynner's English version of The Way of Life According to Lao Tzu rewards the reader with access to a timeless classic's encounter with the ever... Read more
Published on May 8, 2009 by Joel Freiser
always keep this one handy
There's not much to be added to all the other positive reviews. This book never fails to calm and center me. Read more
Published on May 13, 2007 by Maya
The only hope for the Human Species
While the same wisdom has been expressed by many others,from Einstein to Jesus, this translation by Witter Bynner appears to me to describe, in the most concise manner possible,... Read more
Published on June 19, 2005 by A. Lipman
This translation will change your life for the better.
I found this book (or it found me) at the right time a hundred years ago and reading it has made all the difference in the world -- my life wouldn't have been a fraction of what it... Read more
Published on December 11, 2004 by Gordon M. Wagner
occasionaly clumsy verse
.. and yet this is part of its trancendant charm. we are human and small, not great or divine; we must strive on regardless of failure or success. Read more
Published on June 26, 2003
Not my favorite version
I really disliked this book, but for a petty reason, so I won't give it a petty star rating of one. I'll give it a three, simply because it isn't a poor rendition or overly... Read more
Published on August 11, 2001
One of the best
Bynner didn't speak Chinese, yet, strangely, his version is one of the best. As a poet, Bynner sees through the "scholarly poo poo" of some translations and gives us what... Read more
Published on October 18, 1999
The version most faithful to the original's spirit.
This version of the Tao Te Ching is the most poetic and fun to read of any in English. Bynner tries to achieve the same effect in English as the Chinese verses have for Chinese... Read more
Published on August 4, 1999
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Existence is beyond the power of words Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Existence is beyond the power of words Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 1
book:
3
books
cite this book:
- The Wisdom of China and India by Lin Yutang in Front Matter
- American Poetry : The Twentieth Century, Volume 1 : Henry Adams to Dorothy Parker by Robert Hass in Back Matter
- Healing Essence: A Cancer Doctor's Practical Program for Hope and Recovery by Mitchell L. Gaynor in Copyright
- Talking to Ducks: Rediscovering the Joy and Meaning in Your Life by James Kitchens in Back Matter
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