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Tao Te Ching, 25th-Anniversary Edition (平装)
by Lao Tsu, Feng Gia-fu (Translator), Jane English (Translator)
| Category:
Philosophy, Non-fiction |
| Market price: ¥ 218.00
MSL price:
¥ 168.00
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| Stock:
In Stock |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
One of the most important works of ancient Chinese philosophy and a key to understanding Chinese culture. |
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AllReviews |
1 Total 1 pages 9 items |
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Alan Watts (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
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. |
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An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
This was the only personal book I had in my possession during my junior year of high school when I was living with my paternal grandparents (most of the rest of my family's possessions were in storage in my other grandparents' house; long story). Since I discovered it on my parents' bookshelves in January of 1995, I have read it many times and never fail to experience the same sense of awe and agreement as I did the very first time. The ancient and beautiful words of Lao-Tsu helped to get me through a very tough year, and the description of the Tao as one, eternal, forever unchanging, the mother of the ten thousand things, unfathomable, unable to be truly grasped, nameless, elusive and intangible, and hidden deep yet ever present, strikes me as very similar to the Jewish belief in one God, one Divine Force which never changes and is unable to be fully grasped either. There are so many beautiful lines in here, so many true observations about human character, the Tao (or God, the Divine, Vishnu, Goddess, Great Spirit, however you call it), virtue, human nature, the nature of things. So many times Lao-Tsu points out that we cannot know something (like beauty, good, high, low, short, long, harmony, or softness) without experiencing its opposite. We are only able to see good as good because there is Evil in the world too, and beauty as beauty because there is ugliness. He also often mentions how these opposites can contrast and complement one another, follow one another, and overcome one another. One such example is that a small country can overcome a large nation which conquers it by submitting to it. I also love Chapter 31, which states that "[g]ood weapons are instruments of fear; all creatures hate them," going on to say that a wise man (or woman) only uses weapons when one has no choice, and that "war is conducted like a funeral."
This is one of the most famous and important holy books in world religion, yet unlike the longer and more complex works such as the Bible, Koran, and Vedas, this is amazingly simple, easy to interpret, not hard to read or to study, and easy to sum up: "Simply be." |
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Anyechka (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
This was the only personal book I had in my possession during my junior year of high school when I was living with my paternal grandparents (most of the rest of my family's possessions were in storage in my other grandparents' house; long story). Since I discovered it on my parents' bookshelves in January of 1995, I have read it many times and never fail to experience the same sense of awe and agreement as I did the very first time. The ancient and beautiful words of Lao Tsu helped to get me through a very tough year, and the description of the Tao as one, eternal, forever unchanging, the mother of the ten thousand things, unfathomable, unable to be truly grasped, nameless, elusive and intangible, and hidden deep yet ever present, strikes me as very similar to the Jewish belief in one God, one Divine Force which never changes and is unable to be fully grasped either. There are so many beautiful lines in here, so many true observations about human character, the Tao (or God, the Divine, Vishnu, Goddess, Great Spirit, however you call it), virtue, human nature, the nature of things. So many times Lao Tsu points out that we cannot know something (like beauty, good, high, low, short, long, harmony, or softness) without experiencing its opposite. We are only able to see good as good because there is Evil in the world too, and beauty as beauty because there is ugliness. He also often mentions how these opposites can contrast and complement one another, follow one another, and overcome one another. One such example is that a small country can overcome a large nation which conquers it by submitting to it. I also love Chapter 31, which states that "[g]ood weapons are instruments of fear; all creatures hate them," going on to say that a wise man (or woman) only uses weapons when one has no choice, and that "war is conducted like a funeral."
This is one of the most famous and important holy books in world religion, yet unlike the longer and more complex works such as the Bible, Koran, and Vedas, this is amazingly simple, easy to interpret, not hard to read or to study, and easy to sum up: "Simply be." |
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An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
I've read over 20 interpretations of the Dao, and this is easily the clearest. The wording is very understandable for the Western mind.
The combination of images, calligraphy, and organization makes it a pleasurable book to read. If you are just getting started into Eastern thought, or if you are an experienced thinker in the area this book will serve you well.
It's always good to read other versions, just for the way that other authors interpret the text's meaning. However, I always return to this one for true understanding - it makes sense. You won't be disappointed with this text at all. |
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Barbara Rose (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
Written centuries ago, the Tao Te Ching, written by Lao Tsu, brings humanity profoundly enlightened wisdom that when applied, will lift you into being, and free you from the pain of seeking.
This 25th anniversary edition is beautiful, with illustrations, calligraphy, and breathtaking quotes that you can share with others to uplift their lives. A GREAT book to bring with you and look through whether you are waiting in an office for an appointment, in stand-still traffic, or especially if you are out in nature, and want to inhale the wisdom that best accompanies a natural environment.
The words are timeless and priceless because of the profound truth they bring. You will learn much, and gain a great deal from the wisdom in this book. Gia-fu Feng and Jane English did an outstanding job in translation. Highly Recommended!
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An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
I bought this book over 10 years ago while searching for bargain books at my college bookstore. What a great bargain I got! This book helps 'enlighten' my view of the world. It is beautifully presented with calm and peaceful photographs.
The philosophy of Lao Tsu follows Nature Order and thus is the truth and easily referenced and accepted. It is mind opening (Good is there because there is Bad. They both need each other to exist. A great teacher is one who teach without teaching...A great warrior is one who can win a war without fighting...Those are just a few examples of many more).
Do not confuse Tao Te Ching with Taoism. They both are total opposite. Tao follows natural order while Taoism tries to manipulate the natural order to your advantage. Tao Te Ching is a philosophy while Taoism is a religion. Like many other great philosophies, they are eternal and withstand the test of time while religions come and go...Out of all great Chinese sages, Lao Tsu is undoubtedly is on the top of the list. We praise for his great contributions to human civilization.
I put this book on the side of my bed and occasionally read it before I go to sleep and every time I read and digest the message, there is something new I learn. It's like a never ending communication between my inner self and I...
This version of Tao Te Ching is translated in beautiful English and yet clear and precise.
For those of you who have other translation of the book, try this beautiful translation to gain new insights. Tao Te Ching is a very old text (604 BC) and thus it was written in ancient Chinese characters which requires special knowledge even few Chinese can truly understand the meaning. Who can better translate the teaching than a Chinese scholar?
And for those of you who never read Tao Te Ching, read this book and carefully digest it... You'll become wiser and thus can pass all the happiness and bitterness of life at more ease. That's a promise...
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An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
I found this book one summer in the early 1970s in a little bookstore in a mall, shortly after it was published. I stood there for half-an-hour or so puzzling over the text and admiring the calligraphy and the photography, then, realizing it was getting late, set it back on the shelf and left.
As I emerged from the mall, I noticed a tree growing in the parking lot that the mall developers had spared. It was a maple, and I still retain an almost photographic image of it in my mind, so vivid was the impression it made on me. I was sure I'd seen this tree before, but now it was as if I was "really" seeing it. Don't ask me what that means, I don't even know myself. But I had a pretty good idea why I was suddenly seeing it in that heightened way.
I turned around, went back into the mall and bought the book.
Since then, I've read and heard comments by many other people about the transforming effect this particular book had on them. There are people who own three and four copies of it - one for the house, one for the office, one for the car. Some people carry it from room to room just to have it near them. There are people who seem to feel almost embarrassed about their attachment to it, as if it were something to feel guilty about.
If I had to guess why this particular edition has had such a magical effect on so many readers, I would say it is the combination of the mysterious yet elevating text, the calligraphy by Gia-fu Feng, the photographs by Jane English, and the spacious art-book layout. It is a potent combination. I hope you will buy this book and then find a tree of your own to look at. |
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B. Trainor (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
It would be a little silly of me to review or criticize Lao-Tzu's writings...but, I would like to comment about this specific copy.
The translation is one of the more succinct versions I've encountered. Because of this it appears and sounds more poetic than most translations, but the drawback of a terse translation is that it only makes the notoriously ambiguous Tao, harder to grasp.
The best thing about the book is that it is very pretty. To simulate the Yin and Yang, the pages alternate between black and white. The Chinese characters on one page and the English translation on the next. The book is inundated with drawings from nature, augmenting the themes and serenity of the words.
This is a great copy if you're already familiar with the text or for display. If you would like a copy for serious study, I'd go with Jonathan Star's Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition.
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Andrew Beaulac (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-31 00:00>
This beautiful edition accompanies every chapter with stunning artistic photography and Chinese calligraphic text. It makes a good "coffee table Tao Te Ching" that will capture readers with its mystically beautiful photography . Also includes an essay, The Modern Way of the Eternal Tao by Rowena Patee Kryder, an extract from unpublished autobiographical writings by Gia-fu Fung, and an essay and calligraphy by Chungliang Al Huang. If you're looking for a Tao Te Ching to give as a gift, this is a good one. |
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1 Total 1 pages 9 items |
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