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Product Description
Product Description
Do you want to improve the world?
I don't think it can be done.
The world is sacred.
It can't be improved.
If you tamper with it, you'll ruin it.
If you treat it like an object, you'll lose it.
Stephen Mitchell's translation of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching (The Book of the Way) has sold over half a million copies worldwide. In this edition, Mitchell's text is set against ancient Chinese paintings selected by Asian art expert, Dr Stephen Little.
I don't think it can be done.
The world is sacred.
It can't be improved.
If you tamper with it, you'll ruin it.
If you treat it like an object, you'll lose it.
Stephen Mitchell's translation of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching (The Book of the Way) has sold over half a million copies worldwide. In this edition, Mitchell's text is set against ancient Chinese paintings selected by Asian art expert, Dr Stephen Little.
About the Author
Stephen Mitchell was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1943. He studied at Amherst, the University of Paris and Yale. His previous books include Dropping Ashes on the Buddha, The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke and The Book of Job. He lives with his wife in Berkeley, California.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
The tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
The tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
If you're looking for a literal translation of the TTC then this isn't it - however, it's way more readable than other versions. I think Stephen Mitchell explains himself very well in his Forward:
"With great poetry, the freest translation is sometimes the most faithful. 'We must try its effect as an English Poem,' Dr Johnson said; 'that is the way to judge of the merit of a translation'. I have often been fairly literal - or as literal as one can be with such a subtle, kaleidoscopic book as the Tao Te Ching. But I have also paraphrased, expanded, contracted, interpreted, worked with the text, played with it, until it became embodied in a language that felt genuine to me. If I haven't always translated Lao Tzu's words, my intention has always been to translate his mind."
And I think he does a damn good job. You can compare his translation of verse 15 with the James Legge version below, for example. I know which translation I prefer.
Legge:
"The skilful masters (of the Tao) in old times, with a subtle
and exquisite penetration, comprehended its mysteries, and were deep
(also) so as to elude men's knowledge. As they were thus beyond men's
knowledge, I will make an effort to describe of what sort they
appeared to be.
Shrinking looked they like those who wade through a stream in
winter; irresolute like those who are afraid of all around them; grave
like a guest (in awe of his host); evanescent like ice that is melting
away; unpretentious like wood that has not been fashioned into
anything; vacant like a valley, and dull like muddy water.
Who can (make) the muddy water (clear)? Let it be still, and it
will gradually become clear. Who can secure the condition of rest?
Let movement go on, and the condition of rest will gradually arise.
They who preserve this method of the Tao do not wish to be full (of
themselves). It is through their not being full of themselves that
they can afford to seem worn and not appear new and complete."
Mitchell:
"The ancient Masters were profound and subtle.
Their wisdom was unfathomable.
There is no way to describe it;
all we can describe is their appearance.
They were careful
as someone crossing an iced-over stream.
Alert as a warrior in enemy territory.
Courteous as a guest.
Fluid as melting ice.
Shapable as a block of wood.
Receptive as a valley.
Clear as a glass of water.
Do you have the patience to wait
till your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving
till the right action arises by itself?
The Master doesn't seek fulfillment.
Not seeking, not expecting,
she is present, and can welcome all things."
"With great poetry, the freest translation is sometimes the most faithful. 'We must try its effect as an English Poem,' Dr Johnson said; 'that is the way to judge of the merit of a translation'. I have often been fairly literal - or as literal as one can be with such a subtle, kaleidoscopic book as the Tao Te Ching. But I have also paraphrased, expanded, contracted, interpreted, worked with the text, played with it, until it became embodied in a language that felt genuine to me. If I haven't always translated Lao Tzu's words, my intention has always been to translate his mind."
And I think he does a damn good job. You can compare his translation of verse 15 with the James Legge version below, for example. I know which translation I prefer.
Legge:
"The skilful masters (of the Tao) in old times, with a subtle
and exquisite penetration, comprehended its mysteries, and were deep
(also) so as to elude men's knowledge. As they were thus beyond men's
knowledge, I will make an effort to describe of what sort they
appeared to be.
Shrinking looked they like those who wade through a stream in
winter; irresolute like those who are afraid of all around them; grave
like a guest (in awe of his host); evanescent like ice that is melting
away; unpretentious like wood that has not been fashioned into
anything; vacant like a valley, and dull like muddy water.
Who can (make) the muddy water (clear)? Let it be still, and it
will gradually become clear. Who can secure the condition of rest?
Let movement go on, and the condition of rest will gradually arise.
They who preserve this method of the Tao do not wish to be full (of
themselves). It is through their not being full of themselves that
they can afford to seem worn and not appear new and complete."
Mitchell:
"The ancient Masters were profound and subtle.
Their wisdom was unfathomable.
There is no way to describe it;
all we can describe is their appearance.
They were careful
as someone crossing an iced-over stream.
Alert as a warrior in enemy territory.
Courteous as a guest.
Fluid as melting ice.
Shapable as a block of wood.
Receptive as a valley.
Clear as a glass of water.
Do you have the patience to wait
till your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving
till the right action arises by itself?
The Master doesn't seek fulfillment.
Not seeking, not expecting,
she is present, and can welcome all things."
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book has become a treasure to me - I read a page from it everyday, and look at the beautiful illustrations. The translation is modern, but thoroughly appropriate, and the wording is wonderful. The artwork harmonises with the words in a lovely way. I have bought 2 copies of this book for my best friends, as well as one for myself!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It is a daring thing to do these days to make yet another translation of the Tao Te Ching because there have been so many to date. It would seem to be a necessary requisite to produce something that singles an edition out from the crowd. Here is a stunning publication that has been sympathetically translated ( I am not a Chinese scholar so can make no comment as to accuracy).I have at least six different editions of the Tao Te Ching on my shelves all of which I like but Frances Lincoln have produced an edition that is so beautiful that it is a work of art.It is an unpretentious size with an exquisite yet understated cover. Very high quality paper has been used throughout and on every other page there are full page reproductions of Chinese paintings of the Sung, Yuan, Ming and Ch'ing dynasties. These paintings are delightful with every detail visible and are also exquisite. The whole book seems to me to reflect perfect harmony and is entirely at one with the text. Congratulations to both Stephen Mitchell for his illuminating translation and to Frances Lincoln for this inspiring and optimum quality publication.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
an inspiration
This book contains a brilliant interpretation of the Tao and has the beautiful illustrations to soak up too - a triumph!
Published 19 months ago by Jacquie
Tao Te Ching - amazing
I am in love with this book. For anyone who is open minded and in need of some unbiased enlightenment this is the book for you. Read more
Published on 22 Aug 2009 by Mrs. CG Thacker
Essential reading!
This is a beautifully profound and playful translation of the Tao Te Ching by Stephen Mitchell..
Essential reading!
Essential reading!
Published on 12 Jun 2009 by Grasshopper
The way of Tao in originality
Well... I would first give credit to how this book is beautifully presented with finest art of Oriental paintings, and the translation has captured the deep minimalist meaning in... Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2009 by lyric violet
Love it
Ok, I'm sure that Mitchel has taken lots of liberties, but the result is beautiful and readable.
I tried the John Wu translation, which I'm sure is much more accurate,... Read more
I tried the John Wu translation, which I'm sure is much more accurate,... Read more
Published on 21 May 2007 by N. Bar
Truly awful, please give this one a wide berth
Of all the translations of the Tao Te Ching I have ever come across, this is the worst. One of it's worst flaws (already by no means the only flaw, as others already seem to have... Read more
Published on 4 Dec 2001
Avoid, avoid, avoid!!!
Once again I find myself wishing that Amazon provided a 'zero star' option.
Glancing at my shelves, I have more than a dozen translations of Lao Tzu. Read more
Published on 29 Jun 2001 by J. Scott
A truly poor translation
Of the three translations I currently own this is the poorest - It is 'politically correct' when it doesn't need to be, and uses words like 'electron' and 'truck' so that the... Read more
Published on 10 Sep 2000
Profound advice! Beautifully presented. Worth reading.
I have already read this book more than once and will return to it many times. The Taoist approach to life is presented in over 50 small sections (10 to 12 lines each) that are... Read more
Published on 21 Dec 1999
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