Tao te Ching
1842
- chinese philosophy
- chinese language materials
- peace
- tao
- taoism
- ouvrages avant 1800
- taoïsme
- religion
- asian philosophy
- philosophy
The story
"Within ancient Chinese, a sole character possesses a broad, and sometimes contradictory, range of meanings. Moreover, the Tao Te Ching is rife with terms and expressions that have no exact counterpart in English. So while the Tao Te Ching ranks behind only the Bible as the most widely translated book in the world, it remains one of the least understood.". "Jonathan Star's Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition helps remedy this situation. The distinction of this new edition is that it supplies readers with the first comprehensive verbatim translation, which can be used to explore the multiple meanings contained in the Chinese characters. This unique tool gives readers direct access to the text and a way to understand the different interpretations put forth by modern-day translators. Perhaps most important, the verbatim translation gives each reader the ability to penetrate the inner meaning of the text and come up with his or her own personal interpretation."--BOOK JACKET.
What it’s like
Short, aphoristic verses that read like compressed paragraphs of thought, each one open to several readings, which makes the book feel quiet and spacious on the page. Its register is contemplative and unhurried, with a vibe of stillness and paradox: a slow, reflective read best taken in brief sittings, a few verses at a time, with pauses between them. Its concerns are wu wei, the Tao, returning to simplicity, and the value of emptiness and restraint, and it treats language itself as slippery, so the reader is invited to weigh word choices rather than follow a story. There is no narrative arc, no characters in conflict, and no violence, sexual content, or fear; the tone is gentle and reflective throughout. It suits readers drawn to Taoism and comparative philosophy, students of translation who enjoy comparing renderings of a single character, and anyone wanting calm, thoughtful reading for an unhurried evening or a quiet morning.
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