Tao Te Ching

Praise

“A lucid translation [by] one of the most famous translators of Chinese into English.” —The New York Review of Books

“Ancient wisdom for those facing twenty-first-century perplexities . . . Minford writes for ordinary people seeking guidance in everyday life. . . . In simple but resonantly phrased language, [he] somehow does unfold [the Tao’s] message.” —Booklist, starred review

“A wonderful translation—clear and deep.” —Vikram Seth

“My first reaction as a Sinologist to a new translation of the Tao Te Ching is always: ‘Another one?! Whatever for?’ But then I began to read John Minford’s translation, and it immediately seduced me. . . . It has the mark of the craftsman: Its choice of words is not just judicious but also poetic, refreshing the at once limpid and ambiguous original and making it new. . . . The result is a metaphysical feast for those willing to slow down and read this text as it was meant to be read: meditatively.” —John Lagerwey, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

“A wonder and a delight. The simplicity and purity of this translation resonate directly with the original. It conveys the innermost essence of Chinese culture, drawing the reader deep into its enchantment and wisdom. Every word is charged with effortless energy—a radiant union of form and spirit.” —Tang Yuen-ha, Chinese opera artist

“Meditative reading, known as lectio divina, is a Benedictine tradition going back a millennium and a half. John Minford, using the term lectio Sinica, has creatively suggested such an approach as an essential way to read the Tao Te Ching.” —Nicholas Koss, Order of Saint Benedict

“Elegant and poetic, John Minford’s translation of the Tao Te Ching probably comes the closest of any to the essence of the mystical, ineffable Taoist classic. Minford wisely avoids providing one authoritative voice, instead introducing a rich tapestry of historical resonances that induce a meditative experience, as if harmonizing with an ensemble singing an ancient song.” —Yue Zhuang, University of Exeter