Continuing my archiving of various translations of the tao te ching, todays post is of stephen mitchells translation. It could be argued that the best people to translate the tao te ching are those who try to embody tao. What is the best edition of tao te ching by lao tzu. Stephen mitchell has 100 books on goodreads with 148787 ratings. Stephen mitchells attempt at the tao te ching may be pleasant, but its not the tao te ching. Oct, 2009 laotzus tao te ching, or book of the way, is the classic manual on the art of living and one of the wonders of the world. Listen to tao te ching low price audiobook by lao tzu and. I dont think its a coincidence that he wrote books of taoist thought which didnt sell before he created this version, or that he doesnt speak any chinese. Stephen mitchells most popular book is the enlightened heart. Stephen mitchell s attempt at the tao te ching may be pleasant, but its not the tao te ching. A classic of philosophy and asian culture, the tao te ching appears to be a series of aphorisms offered as guidance to a ruler. Tao te ching, english by stephen mitchell, terebess asia. Stephen mitchell s rendition of the tao te ching comes as close to being definitive for our times as any i can imagine. Laotzus tao te ching, or book of the way, is the classic manual on the art of living, and one of the wonders of the world.
Now the tao te ching has been rendered into english by. Tao te ching lao tzu stephen mitchell translation 33p. In 81 brief chapters, the book looks at the basic predicaments posed by being alive and gives advice that imparts. In eightyone brief chapters, the tao te ching llods at the basic predicatment of being alive and gives advice that imparts balance and perspective, a serene and generous spirit. Stephen mitchell, who is also a poet, created his own translation of the tao te ching. Stephen mitchells interpretationtranslation of tao te. Tao te ching written by laotzu albany complementary health. He is widely known for his ability to make old classics thrillingly new, to step in where many have tried before and to create versions that are definitive for our time.
Nov 18, 2006 tao te ching by reader in classics stephen mitchell, 9780061142666, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The tao te ching was written by laotzu translation by s. Tao te ching topics for discussion stephen mitchell this study guide consists of approximately 29 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of tao te ching. The short text consists of 81 brief chapters, or verses. Read tao te ching a new english version by stephen mitchell available from rakuten kobo. Laotzus tao te ching is the classic manual of the art of living. Lao tzus tao te ching the book of the way is the classic manual on the art of living. The author respectfully requests that his attribution and apology be retained during reproduction. Oct, 2009 the tao te ching is the most widely traslated book in world literature, after the bible. Tao te ching by stephen mitchell, lao tzu 9780711236493.
Tao te ching lao tzu tao te ching written by laotzu translation by stephen. Laotzus tao te ching, or book of the way, is the classic. Laotzus tao te ching, or book of the way, is the classic manual on the art of living and one of the wonders of the world. Stephen mitchell presents it in a free translation, with endnotes that offer literal translations in some cases, short commentaries, and examples. He encourages the ruler to be gentle and do as little as possible.
Continuing my archiving of various translations of the tao te ching, todays post is of stephen mitchell s translation. In 81 short, poetic chapters, the book looks at the basic predicament of being alive and teaches how to work for the good with the effortless skill that comes from being in accord with the tao, or the basic principle of the universe. Click on document tao te ching lao tzu stephen mitchell translation 33p. Stephen mitchells acclaimed translation is accompanied by ancient. In this edition, mitchells text is set against ancient chinese paintings selected by asian art expert, dr stephen little. This text sets out to make tao te ching the central taoist text for the 21st century. The tao te ching by laotzu is a classic work of chinese philosophy that talks about the art of living, embracing an inscrutable, eternal way tao. As for names, the name that can be named is not the constant name. Thus, the constant void enables one to observe the true essence.
The intend was to provide a handbook of teachings dealing with the way, or the path one should follow in order to avoid failure and attain success. Im not saying he has it all figured out or he understands loa tsu perfectly, but he puts things so simply that its hard not to. It was written around the 6 th century bc by the sage lao tzu. Yet mystery and manifestations arise from the same source. He left out large chunks of the original and added his own texts. The tao te ching is basically everybodys handy guide to taoism. Stephen mitchell, author of the second book of the tao, discusses his unique approach to translating lao tzus tao te ching. In 81 brief chapters, laotzus tao te ching, or book of the way, provides advice that imparts balance and perspective, a serene and generous spirit, and teaches us how to work for the good with the effortless skill that comes from being in accord with the tao the basic principle of the universe. Stephen mitchells rendition of the tao te ching comes as close to being definitive for our times as any i can imagine. Buy tao te ching compact by mitchell, stephen isbn. Tao te ching chapter one tao the way that can be spoken of is not the constant tao the name that can be named is not a constant name.
Tao te ching ebook by stephen mitchell 9780061807398. Mitchell last updated 20 july 1995 1 the tao that can be told is not the eternal tao the name that can be named is not the eternal name. In eightyone brief chapters, the tao te ching looks at the basic predicament of being alive and gives advice that imparts balance and perspective, a serene and generous spirit. I knew it existed, anyway, and i knew it was a classic of eastern philosophy. Tao te ching by reader in classics stephen mitchell, 9780061142666, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. With all due apology to stephen mitchell, whos translation was the basis for this, and, of course, lao tzu. By mixing together the words of two wise men or more, stephen mitchell offers a path into reality that has nothing to do with taoism or buddhism or old or new alone, but everything to do with truth.
Now the tao te ching has been rendered into english by the eminent scholar and traslator stephen mitchell. The tao te ching is one of the more important books in my life for the past thirty years. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. I strongly advocate reading many versions, and if you really like what you read you should consider picking at the chinese of which there are several different. Tao te ching understandings stephen mitchell tao te ching the tao that can be told is not the eternal tao. Classic book ching about the tao way, nature, patterns, processes and te virtue, potency. This document is not ed and is in the public domain. For better or worse this translation of the tao made the book. In eightyone brief chapters, the tao te ching looks at the basic predicament of being alive and gives advice that imparts balance and perspective, a serene and. The tao te ching doesnt just contain one or two nuggets of wisdom, it is an entire system of thought. Chapter 28 chapter 30 index to all the chapters daoism concordance cloud hands blog.
What are the relationshipsissues between the tao and our current scientific image. Yet the gemlike lucidity of the original has eluded most previous translations, and they have obscured some of its central ideas. I am turning fifty this coming monday and i have been reminiscing happily about everything that has come before. Tao te ching was written by lao tzu at the request of yin hsi, the guardian of the pass. Tao te ching, english by stephen mitchell, terebess asia online. Mitchell written by laotzu from a translation by s. In this edition, mitchell s text is set against ancient chinese paintings selected by asian art expert, dr stephen little. If i was going to be stranded on a desert island for the rest of my life and could only take one book with me, im not 100% certain which one id pick. These eightyone short chapters cover the ways of the way and lay out all the main ideas of one of the worlds most oldschool philosophies. The tao te ching doesnt just contain one or two nuggets of wisdom, it is an entire system of. I strongly advocate reading many versions, and if you really like what you read you should consider picking at the chinese of which there are several different original versions. For better or worse this translation of the tao made the book accessible to me in a way that many others i had read did not. Stephen mitchells bestselling version has been widely acclaimed as a gift to contemporary.
May 25, 2010 stephen mitchell, who is also a poet, created his own translation of the tao te ching. Yes, it is based on his reading of the ancient text. As for the way, the way that can be spoken of is not the constant way. Chapter 17 translation by stephen mitchell tao te ching. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. What is the justification given or otherwise for a belief in the tao 5.
Green way research, valley spirit center, gushen grove notebooks, vancouver, washington. In 81 brief chapters, the book looks at the basic predicaments posed by being alive and gives advice that imparts balance and perspective, a serene and generous spirit. Every day we issue a verse of the day for contemplation, in two leading english translations, that nevertheless differ substantially, and since december 8 th 20, we have a radically different third translation. The tao te ching is the most widely traslated book in world literature, after the bible. Not that theres that much to know after that, about all anybody can really say about lao tzu is that according to legend, about. Stephen mitchells translation of lao tzus tao te ching the book of the way has sold over half a million copies worldwide. Stephen mitchell s translation of lao tzus tao te ching the book of the way has sold over half a million copies worldwide. How to centre your life in the dao and what that looks like. In eightyone brief chapters, laotzus tao te ching, or book of the way, provides advice that imparts balance and perspective, a serene and generous spirit, and teaches us how to work for the good with the effortless skill that comes from being in accord with. It embodies the virtues its translator credits to the chinese original. The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
Underneath is a philosophy of life, of trying to adhere to natures ways. Tao te ching chapter 1 translation by stephen mitchell. Stephen mitchell was educated at amherst college, the sorbonne, and yale university, and deeducated through intensive zen practice. Unsure, found online awhile back and could not refind. Tao te ching chapter 71 translation by stephen mitchell. In eightyone brief chapters, laotzus tao te ching, or book of the way, provides advice that imparts balance and perspective, a serene and generous spirit, and teaches us how to work for the good with the effortless skill that comes from being in accord with the taothe basic principle of the universe. It brings a new, homemade sequel to the tao te ching into the modern world. Posted by jonathan fitzgordon the tao te ching is one of the more important books in my life for the past thirty years. The tao that can be told is not the eternal tao the name that can be named is not the eternal name. When the master governs, the people are hardly aware that he exists.
1362 983 107 95 1610 494 1153 79 1549 1138 1475 127 674 849 931 1102 503 1549 1286 1648 843 308 1246 355 1142 350 948 301 305 818 583 681 749 278 757 901 1408 738 1154 35 183 1207 805 1384