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    Tao Te Ching ( with a Free Audiobook )
    Tao Te Ching ( with a Free Audiobook )
    Tao Te Ching ( with a Free Audiobook )
    Ebook92 pages38 minutes

    Tao Te Ching ( with a Free Audiobook )

    By Laozi, Reading Time and Lao Tzu

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    About this ebook

    The Tao Te Ching is fundamental to the Taoist school of Chinese philosophy and strongly influenced other schools, such as Legalism and Neo-Confucianism. This ancient book is also central in Chinese religion, not only for Taoism but Chinese Buddhism, which when first introduced into China was largely interpreted through the use of Taoist words and concepts. Many Chinese artists, including poets, painters, calligraphers, and even gardeners have used the Tao Te Ching as a source of inspiration. Its influence has also spread widely outside East Asia, aided by hundreds of translations into Western languages.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherReading Time
    Release dateMar 4, 2019
    ISBN9782379261367
    Tao Te Ching ( with a Free Audiobook )
    Author

    Laozi

    Laozi was a Chinese philosopher and author commonly understood to have lived in the 6th century BC, although the time of his life is much disputed, and he has become as much a legend as a historical figure. Traditionally credited as the author of The Book of Tao, also known as The Tao Te Ching and The Tao and Its Characteristics, he is regarded as the father of Taoism and one of the most universally influential figures in Chinese culture.

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    Reviews for Tao Te Ching ( with a Free Audiobook )

    4/5

    2,322 ratings34 reviews

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    • 4/5
      The tao te ching is pound for pound the greatest spiritual work ever written. 81 short pages written thousands of years ago still pack a serious punch, and are scarily relevant. This translation is not my favorite, so I rated it 4 stars instead of 5.
    • 4/5
       I was totally surprised to find out that this is actually a political treatise but less surprised to learn that quiescence is strength.
    • 3/5
      Pretty good, but the few poems I had encountered before reading this in its entirety proved to be the best of the bunch. Some are inspiring and beautifully written, while others are plainer - but that's to be expected of a work composed by a multitude of hands over many years. Really great ideas and values to reflect upon and try to keep in mind though, which is where this book earns most of its praise.
    • 3/5
      I felt this was one of those things I should read to help understand another culture from another place and time. It was enjoyable from that point-of-view, but I didn't gain anything else from it.
    • 5/5
      I'm not grandiose enough to review the content, but this is the most readable translation I've come across, and print quality is great.
    • 5/5
      You will not find a better, more accessible translation of the Tao te Ching than this one. Mitchell's translation is a must read.
    • 5/5
      Good visuals for contemplation
    • 5/5
      Guidance I needed.
    • 5/5
      I read this more than 10 years ago for a comparative religion class and keep coming back to it. I can't really comment on the translation since I don't know Chinese but certainly in this form it contains many pithy truths.
    • 3/5
      The basic text of Taoism that was very influential in subsequent ancient Chinese philosophical and religious beliefs. Worth reading for a very different perspective on existence.
    • 4/5
      I liked this version a lot. I am likely paraphrasing other reviewers when I say it is accessible, sensible, stylistic, and modern. Modern meaning it's been sanitized a bit more than most, for example "The Master doesn't seek fulfillment; Not seeking, not expecting; she is present, and can welcome all things. So use of the female and male 'tense'. Also missing some of the more abstract or even abstruse general metaphysical terms found in some translations. A good starter Tao for the first timer.
    • 5/5
      A classic for life.
    • 5/5
      I've read the Tao Te Ching many times and still come away uncertain as to its meaning, but each time I get little glimmers that I didn't see before. It's probably because I'm trying to understand it that I don't.
    • 5/5
      This is the best translation of Tao Te Ching I have encountered, and I have read probably a dozen over the last 30 years. If you must have only one translation of Lao Tzu, this is the one.Red Pine himself does not say much, but provides excerpts from centuries of commentaries. His comments are almost entirely confined to the introduction, and this is proper: he is only one of many commentators. His attitude seems to be like Isaac Newton, standing on the shoulders of giants.
    • 5/5
      "There was something undefined and complete, coming into extistence before Heaven and Earth. ... I do not know its name, and I give it the designation of the Tao (the way or course)." Thus wrote this ancient seer. And much more. A succinct guide to guide to the inner workings of 'life, the universe and all that,' - a hitchikers guide to the essential nature of creation. It's not what you think - instead, just get your striving ego out of the way, and let the Way flow into your life.
    • 3/5
      It didn't really explain WHAT Tao is. Maybe it was just my translation, but when the whole explanation of Tao is that ~those who know about don't talk about it, and those that talk about it, don't know about it~ isn't particularly helpful.
    • 4/5
      To say that this classic is obtuse is an understatement, but it remains one of the most influential works in forming my personal philosophy.
    • 4/5
      One of the classics. This translation by Jane English is one of my favorites. Plus, the pictures are wonderful. Great memories of winter camping are conjured up, for some reason.
    • 4/5
      First time I've read the Tao Te Ching. Simple but profound advice for living. Simple to understand translation and the annotations and explanations are clear and helpful.
    • 5/5
      Classic, beautifully translated (and beautiful accompanying photographs). This is comforting in its timelessness, and shakes me out of being stuck in my head. A text I return to over and over.
    • 4/5
      A beautiful translation with a wonderfully illustrated explanations. Everyone ought read The Tao once.
    • 5/5
      A very thorough and yet comprehensive translation and interpretation of Daodejing. Complete with a chapter discussing the text and its implications.
    • 5/5
      I own and have read many translations of the Tao Te Ching, but this one is by far my favorite. Written in plain, common sense English, it renders the difficult philosophy accessible and easier to understand.
    • 1/5
      Philosophic fluff. Most of the good lines quoted something - from Shakespeare to Star Wars (not quotes exactly - evoke, more like). The glosses were interesting (why did Mitchell say it that way?) and amusing ("One gives birth to Two: Oy!"
    • 4/5
      This is one of those quick to read, but long to digest books. It was interesting and will take more than one reading to feel more comfortable with.
    • 5/5
      A beautifully illustrated and poetically translated version of the Tao Te Ching from Stephen Mitchell.
    • 3/5
      "People certainly have been confused for a long time."The introduction and endnotes went a long way helping me read this. I can see why it takes a lifetime to decipher this.
    • 4/5
      Daoist classic of oriental wisdom. Not easy to appreciate without help....
    • 5/5
      Still the best, overall. Have had this for 30 years and it never palls.
    • 5/5
      Just amazing.

    Book preview

    Tao Te Ching ( with a Free Audiobook ) - Laozi

    Ching

    Laozi

    (Translator: James Legge)

    Published: 600

    Categorie(s): Non-Fiction, Human Science, Philosophy, Religion

    1

    The Tao that can be described is not the enduring and unchanging Tao.

    The name that can be named is not the enduring and unchanging name.

    (Conceived of as) having no name, it is the Originator of heaven and earth;

    (conceived of as) having a name, it is the Mother of all things.

    Always without desire we must be found,

    If its deep mystery we would sound;

    But if desire always within us be,

    Its outer fringe is all that we shall see.

    Under these two aspects, it is really the same; but as development takes place, it receives the different names.

    Together we call them the Mystery.

    Where the Mystery is the deepest is the gate of all that is subtle and wonderful.

    2

    All in the world know the beauty of the beautiful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what ugliness is;

    they all know the skill of the skilful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what the want of skill is.

    So it is that existence and non-existence give birth the one to (the idea of) the other;

    that difficulty and ease produce the one (the idea of) the other;

    that length and shortness fashion out the one the figure of the other;

    that (the ideas of) height and lowness arise from the contrast of the one with the other;

    that the musical notes and tones become harmonious through the relation of one with another; and that being before and behind give the idea of one following another.

    Therefore the sage manages affairs without doing anything, and conveys his instructions without the use of speech.

    All things spring up, and there is not one which declines to show itself;

    they grow, and there is no claim made for their ownership;

    they go through their processes, and there is no expectation (of a reward for the results).

    The work is accomplished, and there is no resting in it (as an achievement).

    The work is done, but how no one can see;

    'Tis this that makes the power not cease to be.

    3

    Not to value and employ men of superior ability is the way to keep the people from rivalry among themselves;

    not to prize articles which are difficult to procure is the way to keep them from becoming thieves;

    not to show them what is likely to excite their desires is the way to keep their minds from disorder.

    Therefore the sage, in the exercise of his government, empties their minds, fills their bellies, weakens their wills, and strengthens their bones.

    He constantly (tries to) keep them without knowledge and without desire, and where there are those who have knowledge, to keep them from presuming to act (on it).

    When there is this abstinence from action, good order is universal.

    4

    The Tao is (like) the emptiness of a vessel; and in our employment of it we must be on our guard against all fulness.

    How deep and unfathomable it is, as if it were the Honoured Ancestor of all things!

    We should

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