Amazon Prime Free Trial
FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button and confirm your Prime free trial.
Amazon Prime members enjoy:- Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
- Unlimited FREE Prime delivery
- Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
- A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
- Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
Important: Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.
-20% $19.89$19.89
Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com
$17.44$17.44
Ships from: Amazon Sold by: Mystic Bazar
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Tao Te Ching: With Over 150 Photographs by Jane English Paperback – November 1, 2011
Purchase options and add-ons
Lao Tsu’s philosophy is simple: Accept what is in front of you without wanting the situation to be other than it is. Study the natural order of things and work with it rather than against it, for to try to change what is only sets up resistance. Nature provides everything without requiring payment or thanks. It does so without discrimination. So let us present the same face to everyone and treat them all as equals, however they may behave. If we watch carefully, we will see that work proceeds more quickly and easily if we stop "trying," if we stop putting in so much extra effort, if we stop looking for results. In the clarity of a still and open mind, truth will be reflected. Te—which may be translated as "virtue" or "strength"—lies always in Tao meaning "the way" or "natural law." In other words: Simply be.
- Print length184 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherVintage
- Publication dateNovember 1, 2011
- Dimensions8.5 x 0.36 x 11 inches
- ISBN-100307949303
- ISBN-13978-0307949301
- Lexile measure910L
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Editorial Reviews
Review
From the Inside Flap
From the Back Cover
About the Author
JANE ENGLISH, whose photographs form an integral part of this book, was born in Boston. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College and received her doctorate in experimental high energy particle physics from the University of Wisconsin. Her other books and calendars include Different Doorway: Adventures of a Caesarean Born, Fingers Pointing to the Moon, and the IceWisdom Calendar. She lives in Vermont. Her current work may be seen at www.eheart.com.
TOINETTE LIPPE worked at Alfred A. Knopf for more than thirty years. In 1989, she founded the Bell Tower imprint. Her own books include Nothing Left Over: A Plain and Simple Life and Caught in the Act: Reflections on Being, Knowing, and Doing. She now devotes herself to East Asian brush painting and her paintings and cards can be seen at www.toinettelippe.com.
JACOB NEEDLEMAN is professor emeritus of philosophy at San Francisco State University. Among his books are Lost Christianity, The American Soul, and What Is God?. In addition to his teaching and writing, he serves as a consultant in the fields of psychology, education, medical ethics, and philanthropy, and he was featured on Bill Moyers’ acclaimed PBS series, “A World of Ideas.” www.jacobneedleman.com.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth. The named is the mother of ten thousand things. Ever desireless, one can see the mystery. Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations. These two spring from the same source but differ in name; This appears as darkness. Darkness within darkness. The gate to all mystery.
TWO
Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know good as good only because there is evil. Therefore having and not having arise together; Difficult and easy complement each other; Long and short contrast each other; High and low rest upon each other; Voice and sound harmonize each other; Front and back follow each other. Therefore the wise go about doing nothing, teaching -no--talking. The ten thousand things rise and fall without cease, Creating, yet not possessing, Working, yet not taking credit. Work is done, then forgotten. Therefore it lasts forever.
THREE
Not exalting the gifted prevents quarreling. Not collecting treasures prevents stealing. Not seeing desirable things prevents confusion of the heart. The wise therefore rule by emptying hearts and stuffing bellies, By weakening ambitions and strengthening bones. If people lack knowledge and desire, Then it is best not to interfere. If nothing is done, then all will be well.
FOUR
The Tao is an empty vessel; it is used, but never filled. Oh, unfathomable source of ten thousand things! Blunt the sharpness, Untangle the knot, Soften the glare, Merge with dust. Oh, hidden deep but ever present! I do not know from whence it comes. It is the forefather of the ancestors.
FIVE
Heaven and earth are impartial; They see the ten thousand things as they are. The wise are impartial; They see the people as they are. The space between heaven and earth is like a bellows. The shape changes but not the form; The more it moves, the more it yields. More words count less. Hold fast to the center.
Product details
- Publisher : Vintage; Bilingual edition (November 1, 2011)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 184 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0307949303
- ISBN-13 : 978-0307949301
- Lexile measure : 910L
- Item Weight : 1.36 pounds
- Dimensions : 8.5 x 0.36 x 11 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #54,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #25 in Tao Te Ching (Books)
- #25 in Taoism (Books)
- #42 in Taoist Philosophy
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book profound, inspiring, and thought-provoking. They appreciate the beautiful illustrations and Chinese characters that accompany the text. The translation is described as wonderful, poetic, and crisp. Readers praise the book as great, worth reading, reflecting, sharing, and comforting. They love the pictures and new additions in the edition.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book profound, inspiring, and thought-provoking. They appreciate the contemplative, mindful approach to life. The caligraphy keeps readers focused on the otherworldly, deep meaning of the text. The translation is poetry and insight combined to bring any reader to new insights.
"...This translation is elegant, concise and probing. The photography is stunning and such an appropriate companion to this timeless wisdom." Read more
"...it feels a little awkward in terms of word choice, the original ideas still shine through. Are there better translations?..." Read more
"Very nice. I love the pictures and inspirational text. For anyone who needs guidance." Read more
"...I find myself in a contemplative mood every time I open this, even before I read the text...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's visual quality. They appreciate the beautifully rendered illustrations, photographs, and Chinese characters that accompany the text. The new edition is described as beautiful and calming.
"...This translation is elegant, concise and probing. The photography is stunning and such an appropriate companion to this timeless wisdom." Read more
"...This version, with many beautiful photographs and crisp Chinese text, brings the words to life and is a helpful aide for reflecting on them and..." Read more
"Very nice. I love the pictures and inspirational text. For anyone who needs guidance." Read more
"...Beautifully rendered!" Read more
Customers appreciate the poetic translation of Lao Tzu. The crisp Chinese text and beautiful photographs bring the words to life. Readers find the book elegant, concise, and probing.
"...This translation is elegant, concise and probing. The photography is stunning and such an appropriate companion to this timeless wisdom." Read more
"...with many beautiful photographs and crisp Chinese text, brings the words to life and is a helpful aide for reflecting on them and bringing calmness..." Read more
"Poetry! The philosophy of LaoTsu! Chinese Calligraphy! Spectacular black and with photographs!..." Read more
"...And the translation is easily understood, really clear for those of us who don't speak Chinese." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and reflect on. They say it's a significant book that led to major changes in their lives. The format is clean and uncluttered, making it a worthwhile choice for therapists. Readers describe it as a beloved classic that will touch your soul.
"...Still, this is an excellent book and a worthwhile choice given the lengthy catalogue of Tao Te Ching translations!" Read more
"The pictures are beautiful and enhance reading the verses." Read more
"...The book is lovely. Smaller than the original publication in form, but big enough to do justice to the exquisite photographs...." Read more
"The book is great, problems with delivery." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's photography. They like the pictures and appreciate the new photos included.
"...This translation is elegant, concise and probing. The photography is stunning and such an appropriate companion to this timeless wisdom." Read more
"The pictures are beautiful and enhance reading the verses." Read more
"Very nice. I love the pictures and inspirational text. For anyone who needs guidance." Read more
"...Chinese Calligraphy! Spectacular black and with photographs! This is one of the most poetic translations of LaoTsu I have read...." Read more
Customers appreciate the updated edition. They find it complements the previous version and consider it a timeless classic. The introduction is also appreciated.
"...This was a BIG mistake in my opinion. I love this timeless classic and I can't bring myself to read Lippe's updated version anymore...." Read more
"...I've had this book since 1970's and it is still one of the best and clearest translations. the simplicity of this book beats all the rest...." Read more
"I read the original within months of its publishing and love the new one...." Read more
"Awesome version. This is the version Alan Watts recommended. There's a verse on each page along with artwork...." Read more
Reviews with images
One of the world’s great books
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2023I bought this edition in 1972 while in college and it is wonderful that a 50th anniversary original quality reprint is now available.
This translation is elegant, concise and probing. The photography is stunning and such an appropriate companion to this timeless wisdom.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2021The Tao Te Ching, for me, has always been a meditative and reflective experience. This version, with many beautiful photographs and crisp Chinese text, brings the words to life and is a helpful aide for reflecting on them and bringing calmness. As for the translation itself, it works well! While there are moments when it feels a little awkward in terms of word choice, the original ideas still shine through.
Are there better translations? I think so and would still recommend Red Pine as my favorite based on translation choices and commentaries. Still, this is an excellent book and a worthwhile choice given the lengthy catalogue of Tao Te Ching translations!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2024The pictures are beautiful and enhance reading the verses.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2024Very nice. I love the pictures and inspirational text. For anyone who needs guidance.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2013Poetry! The philosophy of LaoTsu! Chinese Calligraphy! Spectacular black and with photographs!
This is one of the most poetic translations of LaoTsu I have read. The book is lovely. Smaller than the original publication in form, but big enough to do justice to the exquisite photographs. I find myself in a contemplative mood every time I open this, even before I read the text. While I am not an expert on Chinese philosophy or translations from the classical Chinese, I would seriously recommend this for readability and spirit. The Tao Te Ching is the second most commonly translated book in the world (after the Bible). The emphasis here, in this translation, is on a contemplative, mindful approach to living. This pithy guide to life provides a nice middle ground between the authoritarian fatalism of Confucius and the materialistic individualism of the West. You can read it in an hour and study it for a lifetime.
Beautifully rendered!
- Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2025Hoping for a little of that peace now.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2024Book arrived quickly and in good shape
- Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2024I love this version of the Tao de Ching translated by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English but don't think the photos are necessary and the book is too big. I ordered this by accident thinking it was the smaller paperback size. I gave it to a friend. Do get and read the smaller version. It may be life-changing.
Top reviews from other countries
- KJPReviewed in Canada on January 17, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars A reminder that all is alive and conscious
I had been reminded of the Tao, having frequently referred to it as a young woman. This is a glorious edition with exquisite photographs by Jane English. It has inspired me to take photos myself and to study Chinese calligraphy. Very, very beautiful.
-
OrphéeReviewed in France on November 26, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Une très belle traduction en anglais du Tao Te Ching
Ce livre est magnifique : cette traduction en anglais du Tao Te Ching est une de celle qui me plaît le plus. Les photos sont aussi très belles. Je ne regrette pas de m'être offert ce beau livre
- Jamie CrawfordReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 10, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book. Poetic translation. Timeless wisdom.
I'm not a Chinese speaker/reader so this is not a technical evaluation, but I love the lyricism and simplicity of this version, perfectly complemented by Jane English's distinctive photographic vision. One of my very favourite books, and a source of age-old wisdom that I find myself turning to again and again, especially during tough moments.
- John A O'BrienReviewed in Australia on May 3, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Has Photographs
Has Photographs. Other versions of this book do not.
An absolute gem of a book. Pay the extra for this version...
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 5, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book great tanslation
Lovely photos with really accessible translation. A book to treasure and use every day as part of meditative or Taoist practice.