The Wisdom of Laotse

by Lao Tzu, Lin Yutang (translator/editor)

For 25 centuries Laotse & the principles of Taoism have had an influence on Oriental thought & life 2nd only to Confucianism. This volume of Laotse’s complete writings, including the famous Chuangtse interpretations & commentaries, appears in an entirely new translation by Lin Yutang, who also provides an Introduction & many Notes. With its companion volume in the Modern Library, The Wisdom of Confucius (#306), the teachings of Laotse enrich the Western mind, offering the appealing doctrines of Taoism, so rich in humor, humility & humanity.

Genres: Philosophy, Classics, China, Religion, Nonfiction, Taoism, Spirituality

326 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1948

About the author

Lao Tzu (Chinese: 老子; pinyin: Lǎozǐ; Wade-Giles: Laosi; also Laozi, Lao Tse, Lao Tu, Lao-Tsu, Laotze, Laosi, Lao Zi, Laocius, Lao Ce, and other variations) was a mystic philosopher of ancient China, best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching (often simply referred to as Laozi). His association with the Tao Te Ching has led him to be traditionally considered the founder of Taoism (pronounced as "Daoism"). He is also revered as a deity in most religious forms of the Taoist religion, which often refers to Laozi as Taishang Laojun, or "One of the Three Pure Ones". Laozi translated literally from Chinese means "old master" or "old one", and is generally considered honorific.

According to Chinese tradition, Laozi lived in the 6th century BCE. Historians variously contend that Laozi is a synthesis of multiple historical figures, that he is a mythical figure, or that he actually lived in the 5th-4th century BCE, concurrent with the Hundred Schools of Thought and Warring States Period. As a result of being a a central figure in Chinese culture, both nobility and common people claim Lao Tzu in their lineage.

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

took me a while to get into the swing of the language, from there on it was a nice ride. unlike most books in the sense that this doesn't feel like it ever ends. I could continue reading it over and over, sort of like standing in the ocean with the unending waves crashing their worship onto you.

this book solidified many ideas I've already adventured. recommend it to anyone interested in thinking that trees are the smartest guys in the room.

[Dhātturā · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite translations for many reasons. Don't ever read just any translation, as there are hundreds. This is a good one.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hvordan snakke om det som ikke kan snakkes om ? Det føler jeg denne boka greier.

Vær som vann
For da kan du kutte stein

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rather than separating sections into Laotse and Chuangtse, Yutang interweaves relevant selections of Chuangtse with the short chapters of the Tao Teh Ching. It absolutely illustrates Taoist philosophy in a much more approachable manner than the student would get reading the works separately. It also helps draw out distinctions and differences between the two authors. For example, even though they are both Taoists, there is a level of emphasis on criticizing Confucian institutions that Chuangtse brings, a topic on which Laotse remains silent.

This is my new favorite arrangement of these works.

[James Papp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the most precious book in my library, a supremely gorgeous and poetic translation of the Tao Te Ching, the timeless class by Laotse (Lao Tzu). Editor Lin Yutang mixes in Taoist passages from Chuang-tse, which beautifully partners with Laotse's parables. I have learned so much about humility and how to act in the world from this hard-to-find book, one of many translations available of Laotse's timeless classic. After the binding of the hardback purchased as a young man started coming apart from decades of use, I was finally able to locate another copy... Yay!

[Harlan Whatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good insights but a bit dense at times. May have to re-read it some other time.

[Naomi Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this translation and how it included selections from both Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu.

[Aaron Michael]

“The best approach, however, would be to read Laotse with Chuangtse. After all, Chuangtse was his greatest disciple and the greatest exponent of Taoism. … As the viewpoint of the two philosophers was almost identical, it would be easy to cull passages from the more than one hundred thousand words of Chuangtse and arrange them in order to illustrate Laotse's meaning, something which has never been done before.”

“The fundamental basis of thinking and the character of ideas of the two philosophers were the same. But while Laotse spoke in aphorisms, Chuangtse wrote long, discursive philosophical essays. While Laotse was all intuition, Chuangtse was all intellect.”

[Puteri Nurzurain · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading about Taoism in depth. Will definitely read more about it

[Sinbad · Rating 5 out of 5]

... Wisdom to meditate on regularly ...

Thanks to Lao Tse for the writings, Lin Yutang for the translation and Dan Casas-Murray for his podcast 'The Tao Te Ching for everyday living' 🙏🏾🤍🤙🏾

[TY Tang · Rating 3 out of 5]

深处另一种乱世的我们，又会如何看待爱，看待身边的人与我们的交流，以及天地之间个人的价值所在？

[Amaan Ahmad · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the Chinese version. Lots of quotes that hit me. Reading the English original version.

[C Settles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lin Yutang is highly under rated as a translator of this foundational text, the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching). There are many, many translations out there but few are able to convey the philosophy in such a poetic readable form. What makes this translation so valuable is that each chapter of Laotse (Laozi) is accompanied by excerpts from Chuangtse (Zhuangzi) that are relevant to the chapter, providing a commentary that expands on key ideas from the chapter. Sadly, this book has been out of print for some time but it holds it's own against any other translation since. Highly recommended, if you can find a used copy, even if you have already read one or more other translations.

[James W. Lanning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is genuinely a hidden gem. To more fully comprehend the teachings of Lao Tzu with color commentary from both the author and the great Chuang Tzu as well, Lin Yutang's book should be considered a first recourse. At all points, Lin Yutang's in-line translation notes, footnotes, and broader contextual commentary is utterly invaluable in not just understanding but more fully absorbing what the masters taught. Weaving Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu together is also a stroke of genius, as the way the two expressed themselves could not be more different and yet they are championing the same core ideas.

[Ian Felton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 1948, these aren't the easiest to find, but are indispensable for studying Daoism. My first copy was stolen, but I was able to still track down a copy at a reasonable price. If you find a copy in decent shape, be sure to pick one up.

There are many translations of Dao De Jing 道德经, but this one, I go back to time and again. The commentary from 庄周 has been edited to complement each chapter of the Dao De Jing.

[Nic Brisbourne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot. I was in the right place when it arrived for me. Ready for the Taoist message that we shouldn’t try to force things.

I enjoyed Lao Tse’s Tao Te Ching, and found Lin Yutang’s commentary helpful.

And I enjoyed the compliment of Chuangtse’s amusing almost poetic philosophy alongside. He’s also known as Zhuangzi.

[Neil Crowle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contained a good translation of the Dao De Jing and illustrated the points made by backing them up with quotations from Zhuangzi. Not an introduction to Daoism, but an interesting volume if the reader already knows something about it.

[Morris Yen · Rating 5 out of 5]

做為了解老莊思想的入門，我覺是蠻不錯的

[maaaayya · Rating 4 out of 5]

not all that good but the chuangtse sections after each chapter was interesting