Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching: A Book about the Way and the Power of the Way Paperback – May 14, 2019

I am now reading, concurrently, chapter by chapter, three versions of the Tao Te Ching: Feng/English's, Stephen Mitchell's, and Ursula Le Guin's, which is my hands down favorite. I've owned the Gia-fu Feng/Jane English version for many years and I still love its clear and concise language, it's simple and direct style. Stephen Mitchell's version, in my side by side comparison, is seen to be a more interpretative rendition based on his own understanding of Lao Tzu's meaning. Rather than stay with Lao Tzu's imagery and metaphor, he packages it all up into a kind of exposition of the meaning he derives from those images. This approach may appeal to those wishing for a more conceptual understanding of this great work, but for me, it diminishes so much of the subtlety and a deeper intuitive conveyance of meaning that is only possibly through poetry. This is where Le Guin's version outshines and makes a quantum leap beyond the other two. She retains all the imagery, nuance and flavor of the poetry while capturing a feeling of playfulness and spontaneity. But beyond even that, I find that her ability to hold the paradox and enigma of Lao Tzu's mystical realization allows for a deeper, more inspired reading than the other two.To illustrate what I mean, please bear with me as I compare one stanza. This is Stanza 30 in the three versions:Mitchell:Whoever relies on the Tao in governing mendoesn't try to force issuesor defeat enemies by force of arms.For every force there is a counterforce.Violence even well intentioned,always rebounds upon oneself.The Master does his joband then stops.He understands that the universeis forever out of control,and that trying to dominate eventsgoes against the current of the Tao.Because he believes in himself,he doesn't try to convince others.Because he is content with himselfHe doesn't need others' approval.Because he accepts himself,the whole world accepts him.Feng/English:Whenever you advise a ruler in the way of Tao,Counsel him not to use force to conquer the universe.For this would only cause resistance.Thorn bushes spring up wherever the army has passed.Lean years follow in the wake of a great war.Just do what needs to be done.Never take advantage of power.Achieve results, but never glory in them.Achieve results, but never boast.Achieve results, but never be proud.Achieve results, because this is the natural way.Achieve results, but not through violence.Force is followed by loss of strength.This is not the way of Tao.That which goes against the Tao comes to an early end.Le Guin:A Taoist wouldn't advise a rulerto use force of arms for conquest;that tactic backfires.Where the army marchedgrow thorns and thistles.After the warcome the bad harvests.Good leaders prosper, that's all,not presuming on victory.They prosper without boasting,or domineering, or arrogance,prosper because they can't help it,prosper without violence.Things flourish then perish.Not the Way.What's not the Waysoon ends.Le Guin adds a note at the end of this stanza. She says, "The last verse is enigmatic: 'Things flourish then perish.'—How can this supremely natural sequence not be the Way?" She then directs the reader to another note under a later stanza where she picks up on Lao Tzu's use of a "baby" metaphor to describe how one following the Way acts in the world. She writes: "What is eternal is forever young, never grows old. But we are not eternal. It is in this sense that I understand how the natural, inevitable cycle of youth, growth, mature vigor, age, and decay can be "not the Way." The Way is more than the cycle of any individual life. We rise, flourish, fail. The Way never fails. We are waves. It is the sea."So, rather than change the actual words to make the meaning more intelligible to our conceptual understanding, as in Feng/English, or simply avoid the whole issue by presenting a loose rendition that doesn't follow the original so closely, as in Mitchell, Le Guin presents the enigma as it is and then ponders and digs deeper to try to grasp what Lao Tzu was truly saying. She goes beyond a facile, generic understanding and comes up with something exquisitely profound. The Way isn't about how we're supposed to act in the world. It isn't about us as individuals at all. The Way is beyond all the flourishings and perishings of the temporal world of form. To live in the Way is to live rooted in the timeless, unchanging essence of our Being which simply is, always. Feng/English's and Mitchell's versions don't come close to penetrating into this realization. This is an example of why I consider Le Guin's version to be superior to the others.One minor quibble: Le Guin tells us that the Chinese word "Te" is usually translated as Virtue. She translates it as Power throughout the book because she feels that the word Virtue in contemporary usage has lost its previous sense of "inherent quality and strength of a thing or person." I myself still prefer Virtue, maybe because I'm old fashioned and still think of Virtue in the old way, like the way Plato used it. Another word choice that I believe would convey the same meaning would be the "All-Good." That has both a feeling of Power and Virtue in it. As I said, it's a minor quibble.

IntroductionThe Tao Te Ching, an ancient Chinese text traditionally attributed to the sage Lao Tzu, is a profound philosophical and spiritual work that has captivated readers for centuries. It offers a comprehensive guide to the nature of reality, the path to wisdom, and the transformative power of the Tao, the Way.The Nature of the TaoThe Tao is the central concept of the Tao Te Ching. It is the ultimate reality, the source of all things, and the guiding force of the universe. The Tao is beyond human comprehension and description, yet it manifests itself in all aspects of life. It is both the void and the fullness, the dynamic and the still, the creator and the destroyer.The Way of the TaoTo live in harmony with the Tao, one must follow the Way of the Tao. This involves embracing certain principles, such as:* Non-action (Wu Wei): Acting without intention or attachment to outcome.* Detachment: Letting go of desires, expectations, and judgments.* Humility: Recognizing one's limitations and accepting the natural order of things.* Compassion: Showing love and understanding to all beings.The Power of the TaoThe Tao is not merely a passive principle but a powerful force that can transform individuals and the world. By aligning oneself with the Way, one can:* Overcome adversity: The Tao provides strength and resilience in the face of challenges.* Achieve enlightenment: The Tao leads to a deep understanding of reality and a profound sense of peace.* Influence the world: By embodying the principles of the Way, individuals can create positive change in their surroundings.Key TeachingsThe Tao Te Ching is filled with profound insights and teachings, including:* The value of emptiness: The empty cup is more useful than the full one.* The importance of balance: Extremes lead to imbalance and suffering.* The power of water: Water is soft and yielding, yet it can erode mountains.* The nature of government: The best government governs least.* The path to wisdom: Wisdom comes from within, not from external authorities.Influence and LegacyThe Tao Te Ching has had a profound impact on Chinese culture and thought. It has influenced everything from religion and philosophy to art and literature. It has also been translated into many languages and has inspired countless people around the world.ConclusionThe Tao Te Ching is a timeless masterpiece that offers profound wisdom about the nature of reality, the path to enlightenment, and the transformative power of the Tao. By embracing its teachings, individuals can live more harmonious, fulfilling, and impactful lives. As Lao Tzu himself said, 'The Tao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Tao.'

LeGuin puts her own spin on the text; this is not a "pure" reading of the Tao but if you love LeGuin's lyric style, and would like a warm and lyric interpretation of the text, you may like this one. It's more of an interpretation than a translation.