Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition
by Lao Tzu
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Book Summary Information
Author: Lao TzuTranslator: Jonathan Star
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-08-25
ISBN: 158542269X
Number of pages: 368
Publisher: Tarcher
Book Reviews of Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition
Book Review: Discover the Tao- now enhanced
Summary: 5 Stars
Tao Te Ching..meaning Book of The Way, or book of the Word. One of the best books ever written. Certainly, the book that has had the most profound positive influence on my life.
You may be wondering should I get this particular version, and how it compares with other popular versions like the Stephen Mitchell, Wayne Dyer and Jane English versions.
Jonathan Star's rendition is consistent with the best I have read. The distinguishing trait of Star's version is the Chinese words included with multiple meanings. This is an incredible enhancement which, in my view justifies the bold claim on the cover that this is the definitive version. This allows you to come up with your own version of the Tao, expanding your thinking still further. If you were thinking of doing your own version of the Tao, this would be a must own version.
This is an actual translation as opposed to other versions some of which are derivations of existing versions which may or may not be direct translations.
My personal favorite version is the Stephen Mitchell version, the first version I bought. The Tao is wise, paradoxical, counterinituitive, puzzling, fascinating, mysterious, inspiring, amazing and true. These concepts bypass ego based thinking, and the idea of doing things by not striving is allowing a higher more authentic way of thinking to inform your being and your action.
If you are like me, then the more you read the more you discover the wisdom like a raw jewel which you shape into a glittering diamond. That is the brilliance of the book.
The Tao is always present within you.
You can use it any way you want.
81 verses, about 5,000 words. Like any great mystery, the Tao is there to be experienced and not necessarily understood. Here is a selection from verse 81 to illustrate the difference between different versions. Star's version:
Words born of the mind are not true
True words are not born of the mind
Those who have virtue do not look for faults
Those who look for faults have no virtue
The Mitchell Version
True words aren't eloquent;
Eloquent words aren't true;
Wise men don't need to prove their point;
Men who need to prove their point aren't wise.
A different version might say True words aren't beautiful, or Wise men are not contentious.
If this is your first adventure with the Tao, I recommend the Mitchell version. If, like me you are a further explorer, you can feel comfortable buying this version.
I recommend The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, another classic book of wisdom, and The Dhammapada featuring the succinct teachings of the Buddha. If you are interested in more Taoist writing, I recommend you the Way of Chuang Tzu, by Thomas Merton. You will discover many parallels with the Tao, and he is also an incredible story teller, using great metaphors.
Summary of Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition
This unique edition of the Tao Te Ching features:
- the first comprehensive verbatim translation of the entire text of the Tao Te Ching;
- literal character definitions that allow the reader to create his or her own interpretation;
- a concordance section that enables the reader to track the different ways a single character is used throughout the work;
- grammatical and interpretive notes on individual terms and verses; * a unique commentary on the first verse, which represents a complete spiritual teaching in itself; and
- a literary translation of the Tao Te Ching that can be read on its own or compared with the verbatim translation.
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