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hildegard's review
4.0
The late chapters were, for me, particularly insightful. I gave only 4 stars because there were places that I could not follow (though this is likely due to my relative ignorance of Chinese culture).
A few favorite quotes:
"Thus it is that firmness and strength are the concomitants of death; softness and weakness, the concomitants of life."
"Because he does not strive, no one finds it possible to strive with him."
"Hence the sage puts away excessive effort, extravagance, and easy indulgence."
". . .the sage is always skillful at saving men, and so he does not cast away any man; he is always skillful at saving things, and so he does not cast away anything."
A few favorite quotes:
"Thus it is that firmness and strength are the concomitants of death; softness and weakness, the concomitants of life."
"Because he does not strive, no one finds it possible to strive with him."
"Hence the sage puts away excessive effort, extravagance, and easy indulgence."
". . .the sage is always skillful at saving men, and so he does not cast away any man; he is always skillful at saving things, and so he does not cast away anything."
wellworn_soles's review
4.0
I wish I could have an extended commentary or companion book to the Tao Te Ching written by Ursula. Her snippets of commentary are really wise and humble, and augmented the writing considerably. I took my time on this read through, opting to read a few passages per week in order to sit with them and think about them. I think having more commentary would have given me more to chew on, which would have been nice; I’ll confess a few times there were parts I didn’t really know how to parse due to Lao Tzu’s inherent contradictory nature.
I really would like to read some other versions of this text, including two of the texts most praised by Le Guin, which are Paul Carus side-by-side English and Chinese version, and Arthur Waley’s politically-charged reading of the text. Im glad to have a copy, because some turns of phrase have that quintessential Le Guin ability to embed in my mind and clarify a previously ambiguous truth. 4 stars.
I really would like to read some other versions of this text, including two of the texts most praised by Le Guin, which are Paul Carus side-by-side English and Chinese version, and Arthur Waley’s politically-charged reading of the text. Im glad to have a copy, because some turns of phrase have that quintessential Le Guin ability to embed in my mind and clarify a previously ambiguous truth. 4 stars.
princessplantmom's review
5.0
This is pretty great. I decided to read it upon recommendation by adrienne maree brown in her book emergent strategy. My other favorite translation is by Steven Mitchell, but I found the feminist lens of Ursula K. Le Guin refreshing in the face of the centuries-old, slightly patriarchal tone of the book. Her notes are also super useful and illuminating at times.
etienne02's review
5.0
Wow! So much depth, so much wisdom in that little book. I order the «real» Lao Tzu book after reading it, not sure if there is more to it or just less, taking back the Le Guin comment and footnotes, we'll see! Anyway this book was great short poem like bit of insight that are worth taking them slowly, thinking about it and honestly there is a lot to take in and add to your life if you really want a change! I highly recommend! A book I will go back in quite often!
sonaksha's review
3.0
I read this slowly, to take every word in only because it’s so important and essential. The kind of book you’ll carry around and refer to every now and then.
There are a lot of books that come across as extremely preachy, but this one was just out there. You’ll revisit it in your head when you’re standing in a line, or are having a shower - the words keep coming back to you, to tell you new things each time. It’s magical to see how those words can mean so many things to so many different people and help you find your way.
There are a lot of books that come across as extremely preachy, but this one was just out there. You’ll revisit it in your head when you’re standing in a line, or are having a shower - the words keep coming back to you, to tell you new things each time. It’s magical to see how those words can mean so many things to so many different people and help you find your way.
piccoline's review
4.0
Rating is not for the text itself, which I would not presume to rate. 4 stars for the "version" that LeGuin has collaborated to produce. Her commentary is succinct and interesting. The English language versions she's produced sometimes feel almost a little too informal or "modern"... but I suspect that's what she was going for.
Certainly it's a fine way to first experience the Tao Te Ching. I will be revisiting it in other forms, no doubt.
I'm coming to some of these ancient and sacred texts far too late. No time like the present, they say.
Certainly it's a fine way to first experience the Tao Te Ching. I will be revisiting it in other forms, no doubt.
I'm coming to some of these ancient and sacred texts far too late. No time like the present, they say.
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