Tao te ching translations comparison

The above is the most accurate translation of the ancient classic available anywhere at any price. The prose doesnt flow, and it seems to be worded in such a way to actually be saying the opposite of other translations i have read. The one that is best is the one that you can understand, relate to, and enjoy. We are glad to make it a free download for everyone, thanks to special permission from the publisher of tao te ching. Robert henricks has published a translation of these texts with extensive notes and comparisons with the wang bi under the title laotzu, te tao ching. A tool for reading multiple translations of the tao te ching in sidebyside parallel columns. You can only compare five translations at the moment. Pdf comparison and analysis of selected english interpretations.

It is great for study and comparison for people who know modern chinese. This database documents the vast number of tao te ching translations in print from 1868 to the present. Analysis of the tao te ching, with connections to other. Built because my favorite tao te ching site disappeared. The first english translation of the tao te ching was produced in 1868 by the scottish protestant missionary john chalmers, entitled the speculations on metaphysics, polity, and morality of the old philosopher lautsze.

What is the best edition of tao te ching by lao tzu. Compare the translations of the three writers, and youd have a more. Translations yes, there is a difference occasionally profound depending on the translator. Tao te ching daode jing english versions terebess asia. Written by laotzu choose your translation from the dropdown menu. Which translation of the tao te ching do you recommend.

Ninety percent of the time, authoritative translations like those recommended here convey the spirit, if not the letter of the literal original chinese. It was heavily indebted to julien s french translation and dedicated to james legge. My go to translations are the fengenglish and robert henricks but also recommend the ellen chen and redpine translations for the great commentary which really helps the beginner understand the tao te. But to those who have looked inside themselves, this nonsense makes perfect sense. Tao te ching chapter 67 translation by stephen mitchell. Learn and appreciate why a work is translated in its particular manner. Contemporary scholarship associates the mawangdui versions with a type of daoism known as the way of the yellow emperor and the old master huanglao dao, since the yellow emperor was venerated alongside of laozi as a patron of the teachings of daoism. Robert henricks has published a translation of these texts with extensive notes and comparisons with the wang bi under the title laotzu, tetao ching. A while back i acquired a copy of the tao te ching and it turned out to not be the best translation. Ive heard that this is one the most translated books in the world, with people taking. Tao te ching daode jing english versions terebess asia online. In paraphrasing tao te ching chapter 6, derek lin points out 3 common ways that tao te ching translations often fail. Choosing the right translation for tao te ching is indeed a challenge for many people. First, i know some of you may dislike that i chose the old spelling of tao te ching.

Pdf in the last 150 years, the ambiguous and enigmatic 81 chapters of the tao te ching have been translated, interpreted and adapted into. The way that people thought and expressed themselves in ancient china i. In association with max muller he prepared the monumental sacred books of the east series, published in 50 volumes between 1879 and 1891, and the translation of tao te ching is found in volume 39. The original text and many of the later translations are expressed in terms not readily understood by modern day readers. James legge 1815 1897, a scottish sinologist and the first professor of chinese at oxford university 18761897. Some translators of tao te ching work from chinese, others from japanese originals.

Comparison and analysis of selected english interpretations of the tao te ching. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. Read more lin yutang 1895 1976, a highly respected writer, translator, linguist and inventor. Comparison and analysis of selected english interpretations of the.