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Wen-Tzu (Shambhala Dragon Editions)

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Historically, Wen Tzu is said to have been a student of Lao Tzu, the founding author of Taoism. At least on the surface, the writing bears out that statement. Every chapter starts with the phrase "Lao Tzu said", possibly in answer to a question posed by Wen, as if Wen were writing down the master's teachings directly.

Points of style also seem more like Lao Tzu than like later authors. In fact, the Wen Tzu fits nicely into a continuum. Lao was the earliest, also the most poetic, abstract, obscure. Chuang Tzu was probably later, and had a more prosaic, anecdotal, and understandable style. Lieh Tzu was the latest, and even more pedestrian and pragmatic than Chuang. Wen fits neatly between Lao and Chuang. His writing is less figurative and poetic than Lao's, but still more ethereal than Chuang's. Like Lao, Wen addresses the Tao directly, rather than through the kinds of stories that Chuang uses with such good effect.

Wen Tzu has a strong message all his own, however. He conveys a strong sense of changing needs of each different moment, and of the proper relationships between things. He notes that a bow is needed for hunting, but is put away when the game is caught. He also points out that the wheel functions only when all the spokes are properly fitted, and that the harp plays only when all of its strings are present and properly tuned. One spoke can't carry a cart and one string can't play a melody. Both messages have strong social meanings: the Way gives a person diffferent duties at different times, and that organization of many people into a society may also be proper, if done in accordance with the Way. This is why Wen's "quotes" of Lao are sometimes suspect. It was the tradition, back then, for a newer writer to ascribe his words to an older authority. This practice made sure the writer was not seen to contradict established wisdom, and hoped to gain respect by association.

Cleary's translations are always very readable, and this is no exception. The text tends towards the repetitive, verging on monotony at times. Still, it makes a useful addition to any collection of Taoist classics and is easy to enjoy for its own wisdom and voice.

//wiredweird

for years, i've been searching for the answers about the taoist principles such as the wu wei or the yin and yang. i had a very good collection of taoist books in my library such as the tao te ching (i got three versions), the chuang tzu (2 versions), a lieh tzu e book, and many more. i've been reading them but it is just so hard for me to learn how to use the taoist principles to my everyday life. tao te ching is too esoteric, chuang tzu is too complicated due to his story-telling and fables, lieh tzu is alright but i needed something direct.

one day, i was walking in a bookstore and i saw the wen tzu. i asked myself, "what the hell is the wen tzu?" so as i looked at the cover, it says that it is the further teachings of lao tzu. now that adds more to the "what the hell" in my head. but i gave it a try. after reading a few passages, i am very happy to say that Wen Tzu is actually the book i've been waiting for. why? first of all, it's very direct like an "in your face" kind of explanation. second, wen tzu for me is actually an extension, more detailed version of the Tao Te Ching, not mentioning how big the book is. it's safe to say that this is the tao te ching, the director's cut, or the guide to the tao te ching. it is that good. believe me. even i believe that it was written by lao tzu because of its content. you'll just have to read it to believe it, and i'm happy to share this book to those who are looking for a great taoist book, or a book that can motivate you to live peacefully.

always smile a lot and take care.

Written more than 2000 years ago, this book addresses subjects in a manner still relevant to modern problems.

See Chapter 87 on the absurdity of get-tough laws, and on the impotence of intellectual social experimentation. See Chapter 89 for an ancient articulation of post-modern anti-foundationalism, Chapter 103 on why class-based laws ultimately fail. Chapter 107 advocates proactivism over reactionism. Chapters 111-112 explain why well-intentioned social programs often harm their beneficiaries. 125 explains why government is needed to protect minorities. 151 advocates environmentalism. 158 demostrates the dire results of partisan politics and poll-watching.

All in all a remarkable text that makes modern politics and society stand up in new relief.

This book is an English translation of the Wen Tzu (Wenzi) by Thomas Cleary (PhD. from Harvard). The Wen Tzu is anonymous and dates hundreds of years after the primary Taoist (Daoist) classics, the Tao Te Ching (Daode Jing) and the Chuang Tzu (Zhuangzi), from which it quotes often. At times, it is nothing more than a commentary on the Tao Te Ching. This is a good thing. However, there are also many parts where it is un-Taoist, and more influenced by "Legalist" philosophy and policies. Large portions of the Wen Tzu are taken straight from another old Daoist-inspired anthology, the Huai nan Tzu (Huainanzi), which dates to the first half of the 2nd century BCE. (The oldest copy we have ever found of the Wen Tzu dates from approximately 50 BCE.)

I know some Chinese and have checked several parts of Cleary's translation and found that it is not too bad at all. Unfortunately he sometimes leaves out whole passages without alerting the reader. In my opinion, he should have included an appendix discussing his translation methods and perhaps a glossary as well (w/Chinese characters).

~ bp

I hadn't heard of the Wen-Tzu until I'd noticed it among other Taoist books, and figured I'd give it a try. I was impressed - it's another one of those Taoist books that, like the Hui-Nan-Tzu, contains a lot, but gets less "airtime" than the Tao Te Ching, Chuang-Tzu, and Lieh-Tzu.

This is a good solid read, and the influence of previous Taoist works (especially the Tao Te Ching) is obvious, and common Taoist trains of thought are further analyzed.

In short, buy it.

The Tao Te Ching is more poetic, but at times cryptic. Wen-Tzu goes into a bit more detail. The prose used, however, is in keeping with the ideal of Taoism that simplicity is better. Mr. Cleary also does an admirable job of setting it up in his introduction. Don't skip it! Although it can be thought of as the "companion" guide to the Tao Te Ching, it stands alone as a cornerstone of Taoist thought. A book of truth in its own right.

I frankly had some difficulties with Lao Tzu. It may be due to the fact that the book's popularity invites too many "free" translations and "interpretations". This book is more unknown, but that means that the translation is a bit more scholarly. Wen-Tzu does explain essential aspects of taoism, and how to include them in your everyday life. He is clear where Lao Tzu is obscure, and practical where Lao Tzu is philosophical. Simplistic, but not simple - all of these teachings are easy to understand, but take years to really sink in.

For most Taoists, the Tao Te Ching (TTC) is the foundational document. It addresses the fundamental issues of life within the confines of 81 poetical verses. I believe the Wen-Tzu should occupy equal status with the TTC!

While it retains some of the same lyrical qualities, it provides far more breadth and depth. The TTC introduces many concepts like wu wei, yin and yang, and the uncarved block, but it does so in a rather mystical fashion. The Wen Tzu takes these concepts (plus many more) and puts the meat squarely on the bone.

I'm in the process of writing a series on my blog on the 180 verses of the Wen Tzu. I was initially worried that I would end up repeating myself several times over as I worked my way through it. Surprisingly, this has not been the case as Cleary's excellent translation offers a plethora of imagery that covers numerous themes and concepts.

If you love the TTC, I firmly believe you will cherish the Wen Tzu just as much, if not more. Its affirming message is one that is sorely needed in the world today.

This book provides an imminently readable translation of the fascinating oral teachings of Lao Tzu. Think of it as presenting Lao Tzu, the metaphor or amalgam of Taoist thinking, as opposed to Lao Tzu the author. Approached this way, the book feels like an extrapolation of Te Tao Ching. The reader gets the chance to read and conclude on the reasonableness of the extrapolation. I liked it, and thought the logic and mysticism therein were very similar to that in the Te Tao Ching. As such, I would wholeheartedly recommend it to those fleshing out their concepts in Taoism

I do not claim to be an expert on ancient Chinese civilization. However, I do seem to be able to recognize the spirit of the true Tao when I encounter it. This book is the distillation of that spirit and the last of the great books in the line of the Tao Te Ching, the Chuang-tzu, and the Huianan-tzu. Like those books this is a work written for "real people" (i.e. those men and women- of whatever origins or class- who are free from artificialities and centered in the Tao.) Such sages once existed in China over two millennia ago and by the will of Heaven may return there still. Indeed, that a few men like the translator exist in this time serves to give us hope.

It may very well be that such men of Tao do exist in our times in obscurity- holding our world back from the brink of chaos and oblivion by means of the golden chain stretching from their hearts to the heart of the great Tao...