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Lao Tzu
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Tao Te Ching: Text Only Edition Kindle Edition

by Lao Tzu (Author), Jacob Needleman (Introduction), Jane English (Translator), Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 864 ratings

For nearly two generations, this translation of the Tao Te Ching has been the standard for those seeking access to the wisdom of Taoist thought. Now Jane English and her long-time editor, Toinette Lippe, have refreshed and revised the translation, so that it more faithfully reflects the Classical Chinese in which it was first written, while taking into account changes in our own language and eliminating any lingering infelicities.
 
Lao Tsu’s philosophy is simple: Accept what is in front of you without wanting the situation to be other than it is. Study the natural order of things and work with it rather than against it, for to try to change what is only sets up resistance. Nature provides everything without requiring payment or thanks. It does so without discrimination. So let us present the same face to everyone and treat them all as equals, however they may behave. If we watch carefully, we will see that work proceeds more quickly and easily if we stop “trying,” if we stop putting in so much extra effort, if we stop looking for results. In the clarity of a still and open mind, truth will be reflected. Te—which may be translated as “virtue” or “strength”—lies always in Tao meaning “the way” or “natural law.” In other words: Simply be.

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  1. Print length
    162 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Vintage
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    January 4, 2012
  6. File size
    1.7 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Scholars say that the original Tao Te Ching is a poem. Like a poem, this version of the Tao Te Ching is not meant to be read in one breath from front to back, but is to be at intervals internalized and contemplated. Jane English's haunting black-and-white photos that undulate in and out on every page act as glycerin elixirs, helping the words slide into our souls for patient digestion. The photographs--of a glistening spider web, cloud-enveloped mountain tops, reflections on water, leaves in the sunlight--are as serenely lyrical as the ancient text, itself.

Review

"No one has done better in conveying Lao Tsu's simple and laconic style of writing, so as to produce an English version almost as suggestive of the many meanings intended." —Alan Watts

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004W0HZLG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 4, 2012
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Anniversary
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.7 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 162 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0307745446
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 864 ratings

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Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
864 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this translation of the Tao Te Ching beautiful and understandable in modern English, making it a meaningful and spiritual book with wise philosophy. Moreover, the book is worth the money and customers find it endlessly useful, with one noting it serves as a simple daily read for wisdom. However, opinions about the pictures are mixed, with some customers appreciating the awesome illustrations while others note the absence of them.

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Translation qualityInsightValue for moneyReading levelEraPictures
82 customers mention "Translation quality"75 positive7 negative

Customers appreciate the translation of the Tao Te Ching, finding it beautiful and easy to understand in modern English, with one customer noting its scholarly approach.

"I am very pleased with this edition. The translation is my favorite and the book itself feels well made." Read more

"...However, I think this is a good translation and very approachable for anyone. You must allow some time to think and ponder...." Read more

"...later on about how it was a pleasure to encounter this book and its simple, unforceful, peaceful, and austere wisdom at that particular time in..." Read more

"...However, if you want to start with a good English version that gives you one useful way is to state the incomprehensible paradoxes of life this..." Read more

67 customers mention "Insight"64 positive3 negative

Customers find the book insightful and meaningful, appreciating its spiritual content and wise philosophy, with one customer noting how it outlines the indescribable truth of the world.

"...it was a pleasure to encounter this book and its simple, unforceful, peaceful, and austere wisdom at that particular time in their life...." Read more

"...Tao Te Ching is a work of deliberate futility. It outlines the indescribable truth of the world...." Read more

"The Tao De Ching is a very spiritual, deep, healing ancient teaching This book is a beautiful presentation of the TDC..." Read more

"...It's seems a little more humanly approachable and less ethereal...." Read more

16 customers mention "Value for money"13 positive3 negative

Customers find the book worth their time and money, appreciating its good price.

"...The Tao Te Ching is one of the priceless masterpieces that can make the world a much better place to live in; the problem is no one cares to read..." Read more

"...I'm sorry, but I don't care for their opinions or musings. Worth the purchase regardless." Read more

"...may not wear as well as a hardbound copy would, it is definately worth its price, and a piece of your time." Read more

"I am a Christian. But and So, I see this work as the wisdom of a good, wise and deeply insightful man. Lao Tsu studied nature and the ways of men...." Read more

15 customers mention "Reading level"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and endlessly useful, with one customer noting it serves as a simple daily source of wisdom.

"...However, I think this is a good translation and very approachable for anyone. You must allow some time to think and ponder...." Read more

"...25th-Anniversary Edition Jane English's photography is excellent and relevant; the Chinese calligraphy by Gia-Fu Feng adds interest to the..." Read more

"...It is an excellent source for us all. It has served me well. And like many other students of Tao I use it often, over and over again...." Read more

"...by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English, and told him that: "This is the best reference I know of to attempt to explain the unexplainable"...." Read more

6 customers mention "Era"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's era, describing it as a classic, with one customer noting it is centuries old.

"Lao Tsu's teachings read like a book of ancient wisdom. It is both traditional and modern, to the extent that it can be applied to today's world,..." Read more

"...It is not only ancient, but it is the TRUTH. Anyone over 40 will recognize that...." Read more

"A classic and a necessity for understanding what is at the heart of Eastern religions. A terrific translation" Read more

"This book is centuries old and the third most published publication...." Read more

23 customers mention "Pictures"13 positive10 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pictures in the book, with some appreciating the nice and awesome illustrations while others note that it contains no pictures.

"...It is supportive of clear, calm reflection. The artwork on the pages is conducive all around; the images aren't "subject heavy" enough to..." Read more

"...In fact it contains no pictures, no caligraphy, and definitely no Mandarin edition...." Read more

"...version and the 25th-Anniversary Edition Jane English's photography is excellent and relevant; the Chinese calligraphy by Gia-Fu Feng adds interest..." Read more

"...As for the absence of the drawings? Count me as one who prefers this text-only edition." Read more

The book was perfect until page 69
1 out of 5 stars
The book was perfect until page 69
The book was perfect until page 69. I received a misprint, halfway through the book the rest of the pages are cut off, they are all upside down, and they started from the back. So after page 68 in my book comes page 111, and again they are all cut off so I can't even read the book. I am upset because I have a presentation on this book in a week and now I have to waste time trying to return this. This is ridiculous!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The edition you want
    Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I am very pleased with this edition. The translation is my favorite and the book itself feels well made.
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  • Jim Martin
    5.0 out of 5 stars TAO TE CHING - The way, the truth, & the light...
    Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    In 80 short pages, this book carries some serious weight; keep it close... I agree with another reader -- you can read the entirety in an afternoon, or you can read a line every day and carry those words with you always. Naturally, to read a little and absorb would be the way to go. I found myself reading perhaps 2 chapters a night and then writing my notes all over the pages (NOTE: this edition provides ample space for your thoughts to pour out).

    It is from my notes, that I will provide a short review. Naturally for us laymen, it is difficult to understand everything. However, I think this is a good translation and very approachable for anyone. You must allow some time to think and ponder. HINT: I personally found that while reading each chapter, I went back and reread the lines to apprehend the best meaning possible.

    The Tao Te Ching is one of the priceless masterpieces that can make the world a much better place to live in; the problem is no one cares to read and apply.
    -----------------------------------------
    "Under Heaven everyone knows this,
    Yet no one puts it into practice"
    -----------------------------------------
    The Tao Te Ching is not an easy task. It is not just a book you read at face value, but rather you read it, ponder, absorb and then, to the best of your ability - APPLY. Here are a few precious gems I will take with me...

    1. Let nature takes its course. Sometimes the right move is to do nothing, but do you have the patience, faith and will to allow that to happen? Can you simply do nothing? To lead others, but not dominate. You must allow others to make their own decisions. You can guide and share your knowledge, but they need to travel their own path. Such is nature...
    2. It is okay to be considered different or less important than others. Misfortune is a part of being human; it is simply a part of life. More importantly, it is how we deal with that misfortune that shapes our lives. Misfortune sometimes carves out who we are - use it wisely.
    3. Temptation - there is much of it in the world. Too much of anything is not good, so everything in moderation. There are many things that are pleasing to the eye; however it takes an extraordinary man to look the other way. This is a man, different than the rest, in that he chooses the path less traveled in the hopes of finding the `true riches' life has to offer.
    4. To master others, requires force in some way, but to master yourself requires strength. You must realize your own faults and discover ways to correct them. Look at yourself as a project, as a goal to achieve. Constantly search for ways to self-improve.
    5. Humbleness - to fulfill your purpose and make no claim. To be humble in all that you do. Do not look for acknowledgement. Rather seek happiness in the fact that you are useful. Do not make a spectacle or boast, brag etc. Only then do you come to realize that you are reaching greatness with regard to what is truly important - inner peace.

    I hope you appreciate this small selective breakdown. I wish I could have written more, but it would have been too long! These are just a few words of wisdom that I was more than happy to share; to see the rest, you'll have to buy the book!
    21 people found this helpful
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  • PRNLM
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is my favorite translation and edition of the Tao Te Ching.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The presentation here is beautiful and very in keeping with the ethos of the text. It is supportive of clear, calm reflection. The artwork on the pages is conducive all around; the images aren't "subject heavy" enough to pull your thoughts away from what you're reading or busy enough to constantly engage you or fill you with subconscious preconceptions as you read, but they are, in fact, beautiful.

    The translation itself is somewhat obscure at times, less accessible and direct than some of the others, but at the same time, the openness and ambiguity is the point in many cases. After owning several translations for years—I don't know all the players by name, I'm no expert, I just own several—I like this one the best because it seems less pat.

    I don't read or write Chinese, but I appreciate the way that there are shades and variations and multiples of rather profound meanings and analogies in this translation, while in some other translation, a given line or chapter/section will point very clearly to one concrete meaning or another, with little room left for ambiguity or other allusions.

    Based on what I do know about Chinese and its structure, the experience of reading this translation is likely closer to the experience of reading the originals.

    All in all, a lovely edition of one of humanity's treasures. I've given it away on multiple occasions to people that I thought were in need of the Tao Te Ching for a moment in their lives, and all have appreciated it and commented later on about how it was a pleasure to encounter this book and its simple, unforceful, peaceful, and austere wisdom at that particular time in their life.

    Probably one of the best gift books ever, not to mention one of the best to keep on your own coffee table and read often.
    45 people found this helpful
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  • Misa
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sizable portion of the book is filler
    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Filler as in content not originally found in the Tao Te Ching as provided by the translators. I'm sorry, but I don't care for their opinions or musings. Worth the purchase regardless.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • R Hudson
    5.0 out of 5 stars The One Translation to Choose
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    It’s so hard to find the RIGHT translation of the famous Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu. Very few versions are a clear and precise as this one. Honestly you would either have to be a scholar of Ancient Chinese to know how to read the original text, or you need to read more than one translation. However, if you want to start with a good English version that gives you one useful way is to state the incomprehensible paradoxes of life this book contains, this is the one to buy.

    Bottomline:
    Tao Te Ching is a work of deliberate futility. It outlines the indescribable truth of the world. It shows the oneness of all things that appear to be at odds with each other. Only a fine translator make such concepts as real and meaningful as the original author. This is the handsome paperback version I would start with, but don’t be afraid to consult alternative translations. There is great truth to be understood in these pages, and yet, this only one aspect of the complete realty of the world we live in, that is just as complex as it is simple. Only reading this text can allow you to see how something can simultaneously be itself and it’s seeming opposite at once. We live in a universe that contains multitudes.
    20 people found this helpful
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  • Dorothy E.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
    Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The Tao De Ching is a very spiritual, deep, healing ancient teaching
    This book is a beautiful presentation of the TDC
    I have several books of the TDC, but this quickly became my favorite
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  • SLV
    5.0 out of 5 stars It’s gigantic though!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I had the original edition and it was pocket size, maybe 7x10 in? This one is notebook size and I wish I was smaller. Just fyi. Otherwise it’s regarded as one of the best translations of the Tao so I’d recommend.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Julia Schacht
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un des plus beaux livres
    Reviewed in France on November 30, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Le "Tao Te Ching" est un des plus magnifiques livres de sagesse, magnifiquement bien traduit et illustré. Je l'avais perdu lors d'un déménagement et suis heureuse de l'avoir retrouvé.
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  • Dr. D.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks
    Reviewed in Germany on September 11, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Hab bei "Motor city books" gebraucht bestellt.
    Den Umständen entsprechend einwandfreier Zustand, ein fairer Preis wie auch die Einhaltung des vereinbarten liefertermins Stimmen mich zufrieden.
    Lediglich die mir fremde Auflage und das damit verbundene abweichen des mir bekannten covers irritierte mich zunächst, wird der Qualität der Übersetzung allerdings sicher keinen Abbruch tun
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  • MasterMars
    5.0 out of 5 stars Biblia del taoísmo
    Reviewed in Spain on December 17, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    La traducción de este libro, el rigor del autor, es digno de elogio, no hay versiones al 100%, pero esta es la más leal a Lao Tsu. Recomiendo.
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    MasterMars
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Biblia del taoísmo

    Reviewed in Spain on December 17, 2019
    La traducción de este libro, el rigor del autor, es digno de elogio, no hay versiones al 100%, pero esta es la más leal a Lao Tsu. Recomiendo.
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  • Cj
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read and re-read for everyone!
    Reviewed in Canada on February 19, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    No words can aptly describe what I just finished reading. But this text is everything, at any time. Read.. and re read often. It hits deep, has answers to your questions, sheds light on confusion. You will find more then you are looking for!
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  • cucu
    5.0 out of 5 stars Super good!
    Reviewed in Japan on May 12, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Love it! Thanks a million!
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