Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #212304 in Books
• Published on: 1988-09-29
• Original language: Mandarin Chinese
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Synopsis
No other work of Chinese literature has attracted as much attention as Lao Tzu's "Tao Te Ching". It has been translated more often than any other book except the Bible and more commentaries have been written on it than any other Chinese classic. Both philosophical speculation and mystical reflection, the "Tao Te Ching" is about the harmony and flow of life and the necessity for affinity to it.

Customer Reviews

Be moved without traveling
In my view this is the most important little book in the world. It is both beautiful and incisive. there is no pointless meandering, inflation of ego, no expansion on the directness of the text.
It was written in China, some say by one author others insist by many. Loa Tzu, who the work is attributed to, was a contemporary of confucious. Whilst confucious was a traditionalist, Loa Tzu espoused all views and no views.
Richard Wilhelm produced one of the most honest and true examples of a translator not getting caught up in their perception of the text. Without writing a biography of this remarkable man it must be said that he was emminantly qualified to translate this most important work.
The Toa Te Ching is the quintessential essence of stating the obvious and not getting carried away. There is nothing "new" to be found in this book but sometimes we need to be reminded of how matter of fact life can be.
Loa Tzu had nothing profound to say; he believed it was this endless search for greater meaning that lay at the heart of the human condition. However, having said this, this does not detract from the staggering quality of the work. Put quite simply; this book will inspire, astound and lift anyone who gives it time to do so.
I read this book and was so moved by it's honesty and tact that I bought ten copies to hand out to others. I would urge everyone to read it.

The book that can be reviewed...
This is one of the most profound books I have ever read. It is concise yet incredbly rich in ideas. Lao Tzu`s philosophy is close to nature, we should be like water, he says, not resisting gravity. The Taoist attitude is quite different from the modern one. While we seek distraction in television and radio, Lao Tzu says;
"The five colours blind men`s eyes
The five tones deafen men`s ears".
He recommends that we stay in touch with non-existence, rather than trying "to be someone".

There is so much wisdom here that I cannot begin to give a sense of it all. Whenever I have a problem this is always a reliable source of support and guidance. This edition includes an excellent introduction and commentary by Richard Wilhelm.