julienwen's Full Review: Stephen Mitchell and Stephen A. Mitchell - Tao Te ...
As a Chinese, I don't feel any surprise that Hundreds of renditions have been added to the English versions of Tao Te Ching-- the fundamental scripture of Taoism. Even in China, studies and debates around this "holy book" have been lasting unceasingly for more than 2,000 years. Sentences from this book have been quoted by Chinese people again and again in their everyday lives, just like proverbs. But seldom of them realise the exact meaning.
I am glad to know that Tao De Ching has been amount the most-translated books in the world. The wisdoms and thoughts of ancient Chinese sages can be the everlasting spiritual gold mine for both the eastern and the western. But for a common westerner who knows little about Chinese, it may be a difficulty to select among a variety of English versions. Some of them maybe wonder at the huge differences between translations deriving from the same text. Perhaps I can give some advices to persons who are going to set out their spiritual journey toward Tao, not as a scholar, but as a common Chinese man who regards himself as "profoundly influenced by traditional Chinese philosophies."
First, About the Differences.
"The name that can be named is not the eternal name." Could Lao Tsu forecasted the diversity of interpretations about this 81-chapters pamphlet 2500 years ago? It's just a joke. But the saying explains in a certain extent the difficulties of interpreting between languages. Chinese itself has been evolving through the centuries. The ancient Chinese is far different to the modern Chinese. Translation in English presents further difficulties. It's hard (almost impossible) to find an English word covers the exact extension of meaning corresponding to a Chinese pictogram. Translators have to select the words according to his or her own understanding. And there are other problems, too: grammar, syntax, rhetoric, etc. Tao Te Ching is an abstruse and multifaceted bible filling with mysteries and contradictories, just like Taoism itself. So, readers must have the basic idea that when you read the English version, you are reading the translator's understanding of Tao much rather than Lao Tsu's OWN thought. (Maybe no one can really understand the thought of Lao Tsu, well, throughly.)
Second, Which Version?
Different translations suit different readers, according to their levels of knowledge in Chinese culture. I personally compare about ten English translations of Tao Te Ching and find this version--the Stephen Mitchell translation. This isn't the translation I like most. But I think it's good for beginners. Stephen Mitchell grasp the central idea of Tao and express it in a relatively free and understandable tone. Unlike other "serious" translators, Stephen Mitchell doesn't try to pursue the absolute precision of interpreting. It seems that he pays more attention to the "readability" of this book among westerners. The language is simple, smooth, poetic and beautiful. Some words he uses seem to be "odd"--like "master" for "sage", and "electron" for "uncarved wood"--in a Chinese person's view. But the advantage of such style is that you don't have to waste time in "guessing" the profound meaning, especially for the beginners.
Third, About Lao Tsu And The Book.
According to legend, Lao Tsu was a "librarian" of the imperial archives at Luoyang--the capital city of Zhou dynasty in about 500 B.C. He wrote this book on the request of a gatekeeper before he escaped from the human civilization because of despair. Recent studies suggest that the book may be written long earlier than Lao Tsu's era. Scholars pointed out that Unlike other works in the same era and the later, personal pronouns like "he" or "she" have never been used in Tao Te Ching. Tao Te Ching may be written in an era before "he" and "she" were created. It's funny, eh?
Fourth, Further Reading.
So now you have read the book and have found the enchantment of the Oriental Wisdom. Congratulations, You are on your way toward Tao--the eternal harmony between yourself and the universe. You can collect a couple more translations. By comparing the differences, you may understand Tao Te Ching better, so as to the Tao. I suggest the following translators for your further reading:
Dr. Lin Yutang : As a famous Chinese scholar and writer who completed his education mostly in the west. Lin Yutang know both Chinese and English and the cultures very well. In his translation, Lin Yutang was tring to explain every single character as nicely as he can. Some words like "Therefore" or "Yet" may not be necessary. But I think this version is the translation most resembling the originate.
James Legge : I am not so sure that whether James Legge was the first person who translated Tao Te Ching into English. At least he was among the earliest (1880). His translation is also nice. But too many brackets reduce the readability. Some of the sentences read like oracles or doctrines.
Charles Muller : Tao Te Ching was written in a poesy style. Charles Muller's works preserve the poetical style nicely. The works is close to the originate. Many Chinese publications like to quote Charles Muller's translation when introducing Tao Te Ching to the west.
In a widely praised translation, Stephen Mitchell provides an accessible understanding of a classic guide for living, now in an attractive, pocket-siz...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.