Tao Te Ching: A Study of Taoist Philosophy and the Way of Balance (Perennial Classics)

Great translation can read many times.

I recently started reading this book and really enjoy it so far. The language is clear and easy to follow, which makes the ideas of the Tao Te Ching more approachable. It’s a thoughtful and calming read, and I like going through a few passages at a time and reflecting on them. Overall, it’s a great introduction if you’re interested in Taoist philosophy

This is one of those little books you can always come back to for a reality check. Much like meditations by Marcus Aurelius.

I had no idea what to expect of this book when It arrived. I turned it over in my hands and it was clearly very short in length, so I decided to just read a few pages while I finished my morning coffee. One and a half hours later I had finished the book entirely, along with my coffee, and I immediately knew upon completion that I would read this book many, many more times in my life. It was a highly profound, dare I say life changing read that dramatically impacted my perspective towards my own happiness and how I interact with others. Written as a collection of very short, almost poem-like chapters, often each occupying less than a single page, this book is a masterfully crafted guide to find real happiness and fulfillment in your life. It is a tome that empowers you, humbles you, and leads you around the pitfalls that so many humans fall into throughout their lives. It is not a modern self help book with life-hacks, habit forming tips, or other such articulations, but rather a fundamental, deep, and moving look at what makes up a fulfilling life. If you are someone who has discovered mindfulness, explores meditation, or ponders philosophy, then this book is, without question, a must-read. And if you are more of a go-getter. A driven entrepreneurial type who is looking more or straightforward advice on building your business, achieving goals and finding ‘success’, then I encourage you more-so than anyone else to pick this book up. It has helped me make difficult business decisions, cut through the unimportant details and roadblocks, optimize my time, and improve my relations with my clients and really everyone else in my life for that matter. It is a book for the true winners, who understand that karma is practical, and that compassion is the path to real success. It is a book that I will cherish for the rest of my life, and I feel indebted to the author and translator for bringing its wisdom into the world.

I really like this translation and the book format. One verse per page, so I can either just read a verse/one page in the morning before work, or read several pages at other times. Would recommend for any "beginner" or "newcomer" to learning the Tao, it's very user friendly.

I was a first timer reading of the Tao Te Ching and I found it very impactful. I really enjoyed its message and felt a deep connection with many of the passages. As far as the translation, obviously I can't compare to other versions but I have to say I overall enjoyed it. Stephen Mitchell makes things very readable and understandable, I don't know how close or far any of these translations differ from others, but I did not feel there was any odd language or archaic terms or phraseology that made the ideas difficult to understand, all that came through clearly The switching of genders thing is always jolting to me when I am reading something and then I wonder if they are talking about someone else, at least here we got a warning it was coming. In this specific context it was mostly okay because of the universality of the message and I got used to it after a while. However I still felt there were a few parts where the constant changing of genders, combined with the specific other content in a specific verse that I thought kind of made it slightly confusing. Mitchell says "The Chinese language doesn't make this kind of distinction, in English we have to choose" Uhh, really, Stephen Mitchell? How did you forget about the word "they"? I believe a few theys thrown in would have even made a few of the passages more understandable and the gender less distracting. I am a fan of Stephen Mitchell in general and have enjoyed other work of theirs, but I think they could have executed making the message non-gendered/universal a bit better if it really was so important. to do in the first place.

Just what I ordered.

This was the first version of the Tao Te Ching I was formerly exposed to. Stephen Mitchell openly admits it is his interpretation of the meaning that you are reading, and I think it is a very true to the essence of the message put in a modern context. You have a couple of different alternatives when approaching this work of wisdom; Chinese concepts, in a big part, can't be expressed properly in the English Language, because of the way Chinese is constructed, and because of the inheritance of the cultural world of the far east, so a literal translation will serve you the purpose of reading what was written, but it will in many ways make it harder to grasp the message behind it. Alternatively, you can try and find works that try and delve deeper than the translation, into the interpretation area. In my opinion, if you don't have not been exposed to the history and culture behind this work, this is a better first approach to it, and I think Mitchell does an excellent work of it. Some other's might try and be less transparent or thorough. Best of all, would be to have the chance to read the text with people who has studied it many times and understands both the Chinese world and our western world, and can help you decode the paradoxes and meanings, and answer questions about it. I have that chance now, but I didn't when I read this original work, and as of now, 8 years later, I think Mitchell's work has a lot of merit. I would recommend it without hesitation.

This is the text that for me, captures the very essence of life! Stephen Mitchell has done a tremendous job in his translation. The physical book is a nice, crisp paperback.

If you like Stephen Mitchell's translation of the Tao Te Ching, this is an excellent buy. I find Mitchell's translation to be simple and yet very eloquent. It does not feel like a 'westernized' translation, nor does it feel incomprehensible. This book is really beautiful. Before buying it, I thought it might be too plain, or utilitarian when I saw the gray cover. Upon getting the book and opening it, I was very pleased. The pages are a creamy colour with beautiful numbering of the 'chapters' in red at the top of each page. The spacing of words and verses in the book make it very attractive and accessible for a short reading session or reading through the entire book in a single sitting. Ultimately, my notes above are rather irrelevant to why you might enjoy this book. The Tao Te Ching is a wonderful work of wisdom. It's lessons are beautiful and resonate with one's inner nature. The Tao is one of many sources to draw spiritual instruction and refreshment from. I suggest reading it through many times and meditating on certain parts and see where that takes you. The Tao is priceless, this copy of the Tao Te Ching is excellent value for the price.

One of the most important books everyone should read. I bought it as a present for my son. He didn't get the meaning of the book. I am sure he will, later in life. You have to think while reading!

El libro es excelente, pero la organizacion de los capitulos y la explicacion hace que sea incomodo leerlo. Lo ideal seria que cada capitulo tenga su explicacion inmediatamente despues.

This is an excellent translation, with thoughtful analysis. One of the best modern versions I've come across. For anyone interested in understanding Daoism better, this is definitely a good option!