---
product_id: 8201949
title: "Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained Paperback – Large Print, August 26, 2014"
brand: "derek linlama surya das"
price: "Rp1046929"
currency: IDR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 9
url: https://www.desertcart.id/products/8201949-tao-te-ching-annotated-and-explained-paperback-large-print-august
store_origin: ID
region: Indonesia
---

# Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained Paperback – Large Print, August 26, 2014

**Brand:** derek linlama surya das
**Price:** Rp1046929
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

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- **What is this?** Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained Paperback – Large Print, August 26, 2014 by derek linlama surya das
- **How much does it cost?** Rp1046929 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.id](https://www.desertcart.id/products/8201949-tao-te-ching-annotated-and-explained-paperback-large-print-august)

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## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    EDUCATIONAL AND INSIGHTFUL
  

*by D***E on Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2023*

Perhaps there is no perfect translation of this ancient work, but the author explains the difficulties that translating an ancient book presents even to an expert fluent in ancient and modern Chinese and English such as himself.  Moreover, I like it better overall than a dozen versions I have read in my life.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    A superior translation of this powerful book
  

*by S***N on Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2009*

There is no rigorous peer review of Tao Te Ching translations. In this translation,  every Chinese character is linked to an English word or phrase. It is translated by Derek Lin. When read side by side with other translations, you might feel you're reading two different books altogether. The translations of this wonderful book vary greatly. The need to keep as close to the original as possible and, at the same time, make it easy to read and understand the meaning is a difficult need to fulfill. But this translation does a great job.Eastern sacred texts, like eastern thought, is the polar opposite of western thought. The Chinese think of the individual only in relation to the collective. In the west, we tend to think of the individual as more important. Indeed, that's the basis on which America was founded.So, it's hard for many westerners to understand, much less apply, the Tao (pronounced DOW) in their own lives. There are parts of it that I simply can't come to grips with myself.Note: In each passage I quote, I'll give you the translation from the translation by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English first, followed by the Lin translation. Be aware that the latter has full annotations and explanations on the facing page. The former does not.One such passage that bothers me is:The Tao of heaven is to take fromthose who have too much and give tothose who do not have enough.Man's way is different.He takes from those who do not haveenough and give to those who alreadyhave too much.What man has more than enough andgives it to the world?Only the man of Tao.Therefore the sage works withoutrecognition. He achieves what has to be donewithout dwelling on it.He does not try to show his knowledge.===================The Tao of HeavenIs like drawing a bowLower that which is highRaise that which is lowReduce that which has excessAdd to that which has deficiencyThe Tao of HeavenReduces the excessiveAnd adds to the deficientThe Tao of people is not soReducing the deficientIn order to offer to the excessiveWho can offer their excess to the world?Only those who have the TaoTherefore, sages act without conceitAchieve without claiming creditThey do not wish to display their virtue.This translation says the art of archery is a metaphor for "hitting the target in life."Moreover, this translation does not put the socialist emphasis on the text but translates it into a more pleasing way and one with which I can agree and understand --- that makes more sense to me.The actual text reads less well. But the commentary makes more sense and helps me to understand the true meaning. This is why I value this translation.Now, my problem with this passage in the Jane English translation is that it is socialist and I'm a capitalist. It reads like Marx. But, we must understand the Chinese come from a different place in their thinking. While I can't adopt this passage in my own life, I value it for its representation of the time and place of Lao Tzu.On the other hand, there are other passages that speak to me and help me. For example:(From the Jane English translation)Those who know do not talk.Those who talk do not know.Keep your mouth closed.Guard your senses.Temper your sharpness.Simplify your problems.Mask your brightness.Be at one with the dust of the Earth.This is primal union.He who has achieved this stateIs unconcerned with friends andenemies, With good and harm, with honor anddisgrace. This therefore is the highest state ofman.The above passage makes sense to me. It has a libertarian tone and it appeals to my own belief system of listening more than talking, absorbing information and knowledge rather than providing it to others. We learn from listening, not talking. When we speak, we regurgitate our own thoughts. When we listen, we garner new information and knowledge.The above passage is from the Jane English translation. Now for the Derek Lin translation.Those who know do not talkThose who talk do not knowClose the mouthShut the doorsBlunt the sharpnessUnravel the knotsDim the glareMix the dustThis is called Mystic OnenessThey cannot obtain this and be closerThey cannot obtain this and be distantThey cannot obtain this and be benefitedThey cannot obtain this and be harmedThey cannot obtain this and be valuedThey cannot obtain this and be degradedTherefore, they become honored the world.This translation tells us the "dust" is a metaphor for the material world. Sharpness refers to the sharp edge of arrogance. It carefully explains each sentence and makes it clear.The Tao Te Ching is hard to understand in some places and in some translations. I read this lovely translation daily. It's nnotated and explained.This is a beautiful translation of this extraordinary masterpiece and I recommend it highly.- Susanna K. Hutcheson

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Masterful translation, 'handle with care'
  

*by D***A on Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2018*

The translator has put a lot of thought into this translation. As I read it, the translation masterfully uses the english language device of the strong verb, which enables the text to carry through its rhythm throughout the 81 chapters.I have just two overall criticisms, about the annotations, and about the purpose of the text. The annotations are more introductory narrative expositions than critical analysis. They are meant to prepare and open the reader to the chapters, not necessarily to elucidate the completeness of each line. To give just one example, chapter 11 discusses , in a nutshell, the nature of activity, creativity, and space, of which the annotations hardly provide an analysis (to give just one example). I would read the chapters as they stand, and look at the annotations only if there is a real question or lack of clarity about the chapters. Reading the other way around, or beginning with the annotations, and then moving to the chapters, risks screwing up the genuine experience of the complexities of the chapters that at the same time are also simple truths.Obviously, an entire world view on metaphysics and cosmology is used or presumed by the original author, and if this were to be defined or discussed in the one page annotations, it would raise the annotations beyond the introductory level for the purpose of which I am understanding them to have been written.Regarding the purpose of the text, it must be kept in mind that this book is a treatise on good government, which means it was written for someone who wants to rule. This makes the text doubly interesting. The book indicates that to rule well, the ruler must know the people s/he governs. This also means that the people, in order to live well, must understand the ruler in his/her different manifestations (see, for example, chapters 17 ff.). So the book must work both ways. More details could have been provided on this, in the foreword or in the annotations.

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*Store origin: ID*
*Last updated: 2026-02-23*