Reviews

Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition by Laozi

logantmartin's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

3.0

This translation was horrible. The editor's writing style was bland and opaque, so the foreword and appendices were unreadable, and there were so many unnecessary footnotes I had to struggle to stay focused on the text. If you're interested in reading the Tao Te Ching, I would recommend a different edition. 5 stars for the text, 1 star for the translation.

joaniesaltzman's review against another edition

3.0

I'm not going to rate the Tao Te Ching, obviously, but like all Penguin classics, I just wish this had more translation notes and a more helpful introduction. I bought this because it was the version assigned by my professor, but if I'd really been thinking about it and looking for one for my personal collection I would have tried to find something that could help me out a little more with what is a very confusing text.

trippalli's review

hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

5.0

I love the Tao Te Ching, I read it whenever I need inspiration or reflection

neolemur's review against another edition

5.0

I had read the Tao Te Ching before, but was delighted to revisit it with an author I adore. Le Guin's rendition centres the experiences of "small people," those of us who are not kings or generals, and brings out its tendencies pushing against the state capitalist societies of today. Its more broadly spiritual and philosophical connotations remain intact. Very well done.

temporubato's review against another edition

The Tao Te Ching itself is priceless but the commentary seemed to stray from Lao Tzu's message and was infused with the author's brand of politics.

thomastorfs's review against another edition

5.0

A ancient guide towards achieving the mental state necessary for personal and spiritual growth. Yes, I recommend it as well.

chichay_joaq's review against another edition

challenging inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

loufillari's review

4.0

I think I appreciated most of this tenet. I could see myself being content by agreeing with and abiding by most verses. There's just slight niggling complaints I find the inside of my head making with the outlook of Taoists.

I might go into detail one day. I need to think for a bit.

The verbatim translation and notes at the end of this edition were helpful and very interesting. A lot of passion went into compiling this "definitive" version of the Tao Te Ching. Bumps this from three to four stars.

12/31 edit: Taoists find meaning by being contenet with rolling with the punches and understanding that everything happens because it's happening. There's no hidden message to anything. Nihilists don't feel the need to feel because life is undefinable and one does not need to do or believe in anything to make it to the conclusion. That's my uneducated stab at comparing/contrasting.

yavril's review against another edition

5.0

Read for HUMS1000 at Carleton University. It's one of the great books - what else could I say about a book like this?

ruthbeadle's review

challenging informative inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

4.0

The Tao is definitely confusing, but as they explain in the intro it is intended to be that way. I love how this one has the original translation of characters in the back so you can really dig into it past the translation offered. I think that this text takes some time, but as it says you need to do the work outside of the text to understand the text.  I think it is well worth the time for the read!