Tao Te Ching

This was a poetic and gentle read, but very impactful for understanding the truly invaluable attributes of a divine life

With the Tao Te Ching, as with all ancient texts, it is best to have some variety of translations at one’s disposal to grasp the full meaning of the original author’s words. I really like this translation, and use it as my primary source. It reads well, but doesn’t feel over-translated to me - it doesn’t try to eliminate all ambiguities or curious metaphor combinations, but trusts the reader to meditate on the comparisons and draw his or her own evolving conclusions. That is, after all, the greater purpose of meditation literature.

I'll admit I started reading tao te ching more for better context on daoism in my beloved danmei novels than for the wisdom actually contained within, but that quickly changed. The format is simple and easy to understand, and it's a quick read. It has timeless wisdom, which when you read you go "of course, who wouldn't think this way?" But the verbalization of such quintessential intuitions lends itself to more mindfulness in your daily activities, and intentionality when you follow the intuitional wisdom contained within. Very good read, can be read piecemeal very easily.

I struggled to rate this book. In terms of pure content, I would have never been able to rate it above a 3. Sometimes it throws something at you and presents it as a self-evident truth of the world without backing it up with arguments, sometimes for very arguable statements. Sometimes, though pleasant to read in its poetry form, some "chapters" lack a strong message and feel too simple. However, there are some passages where I can't help but highlight the entire thing. These tend to be powerful messages, backed up with arguments and examples presented very sussinctly and elegantly, that fill me with tranquility. Above all, though I highlighted how a significant part of the content seems too simple and self-evident, once placed in the context in which it was written more than TWO THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED years ago, they seem like extremely radical and modern ideologies. It is astonishing how the world and ideas described in Tao Te Ching feel so familiar to those of today.

This is an excellent translation of the Tao Te Ching by Lau Tzu which is the second most translated book after the Bible. It is very readable and I have this translation as a hardback, on Kindle, & on Audible. Yes it is that good and easy to read.

There are many self-help books out there. This one is truly timeless. I am a Christian, but the Tao can teach you so many things about coming closer to your God, whoever you mag believe in.

I have been reading translations of the Tao Te Ching and studying Taoism off and on for twenty-five years. The Tao Te Ching is of course an extraordinary work, and one always sees something in a new light with a different translation. I usually choose older translations (a 19th century translation would normally be the top pick), but Torode strikes a great balance of fidelity to the work and his fresh, clear translation. I would recommend it for all those interested in the Tao Te Ching, and if this is your first reading ever, this is the perfect place to start (and to return again and again).

This book is a quick read, and is very enlightening. It is well worth reading over and over. Great for those starting their spiritual journey.