Pewdiepie Book Review 2025 discussion

Tao Te Ching

Hi everyone! Wondering which version of the book you’re getting?

Do you think it matters a lot which translation we get? Also I can’t decide which one because there are some many different versions. Pls help!

Yes so excited! There was another group but for the past like 5 years and a bit inactive so hope to be active here!

Does any one of you already have ideas for which books you will read in the free months?

Obviously take it with a grain of salt - but I asked ChatGPT which translated version is generally recommended. It resulted in an answer which I think actually seems pretty balanced in that you still have to sort of determine that for yourself to a large extent.

I don't think Pewdiepie gave a clear indication on which version to use so personally I'm going to give that the benefit of the doubt and just assume he intentionally left the version unspecified.

Lastly - I wouldn't worry too too much about getting the same version as everyone else because each of us potentially having different versions could lead to some fantastic discussion, since it can and probably will result in various points of view from which to converse from, which is to be embraced in a discussion forum like this.

So,

The answer chatgpt returned:

Recommendations Based on Goals:
For a poetic and approachable version: Stephen Mitchell or Ursula K. Le Guin.

For scholarly study: D.C. Lau, Thomas Cleary, or Red Pine.

For visual and meditative reading: Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English.

For exploring deeper nuances: Jonathan Star or Red Pine.

Thanks! I already read one english translation. But I think I'm going to read a german translation too (that's my first language). The text is so rich in metaphores etc. I'm sure I missed some things.
Happy New Year everyone!

I had a quick read online and it seems like most people recommend the Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation but the Stephen Mitchell version is also pretty popular and that's the one Pewdiepie holds up in the video.

Thanks for creating this group btw!

In all honesty, I went for the paperback with the prettiest cover I could find.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
(It's translated by Arthur Waley)

There's a lot of fun to be had in comparing versions and it might help with the collective understanding of the transcript.
Looking forward to read everyone's opinion and ideas on the matter ^^

I bought Tao te Ching (translated by James Legge) around 2 years ago. I am not much of a reader and always struggled with the motivation to finish it since I found it difficult to decipher the translation.

This book club might just have been the thing I needed so I am very glad to be here. Looking forward to this year.
Happy Reading everyone!

Hello all! Just wondering does anyone know how will he know we read the book so we dont end up on the list of shame 🫣

So glad there is a group for this. Excited to go in this journey with everyone.

Yousif wrote: "Hello all! Just wondering does anyone know how will he know we read the book so we dont end up on the list of shame 🫣"

I am confused about that too! Also, did any of you get any email after filling out the form?

Hey everyone! Just picked up the Sam Torode translation and excited to begin.

I'm reading the Mitchell translation and enjoying it so far. It's very profound!

I just finished the D.C. Lau version and it did my head in a bit... I'm going to try the Mitchell or Le Guin versions and see if they make a bit more sense.

Just got here and am super excited 🙏🏽 Just finishing my Star Wars Book to give Tao Te Ching a go

So I have the Stephen Addis and Stanley Lombardo translation which is more or less a literal translation, which makes it hard to understand, but I'll keep trying or find one with some more context/explanation. Excited nonetheless!

I've chosen to go with Le Guin's translation, anyone else?

Woo wrote: "I've chosen to go with Le Guin's translation, anyone else?"

I did as well, as Le Guin's translation was the one available at a local library. Read it today, and I can say it does not disappoint! My personal favorite was Chapter 33, entitled "Kinds of Power."
Hope you all enjoy and gain something from the text.

The book Pewdiepie showed in the video was a translation by Stephen Mitchell (ISBN-10: 0857830155). I looked around for suggestions, and some recommended the translation 'Dao de Jing: A Philosophical Translation' (ISBN-10: 0345444159) by Roger T. Ames and David L. Hall.

I was going to go with that, but after looking a bit in the sample it seemed a little too much for me as it felt like it might be better suited for a deeper study rather than an initial casual read, including commentary and a more literal translation. So I will go for the Mitchell translation I think, as it seems easier and more fluid to read, and maybe go for the Ames/Hall translation if I want to deep-dive into the Tao at a later time ^^

I would suggest comparing some different translations and find one you like, there are multiple sites where you can do this (one being ttc.tasuki.org).

Excited to start reading the books! Bought 'Discourses and Selected Writings', 'The Republic' and 'The Wisdom of Life' soon to be 4 years ago after one of his book review videos, but never read them x3 Hopefully, this book club will finally give me the push to read them ^^

I got the Sam Torode translation of the book and finished it in 45 minutes. It was a good read and will probably read it again to fully understand it.

Just read The Divine Feminine Tao Te Ching translation by Rosemarie Anderson and, though it was a pretty big change of pace from what I usually read (modern fiction), I found its insights refreshing and enlightening. I'm probs gonna check out other translations b/c I'm interested in how different they are and if I understand it any differently -- there were definitely a handful poems I'd like to review for understanding, though there were a lot of commonly shared themes throughout all of the poems. Neat read!

Excited to read it as well! Haven't started it yet since I'm still in the midst of One Hundred Years of Solitude (personal reading), but will be picking up Tao Te Ching shortly.

Nice! Just got it from a library today and gonna start it aswell.

Finished reading it, pretty easy read and it only
Took me 35 min to finish it! Book 1 down 11 to go!

Question for everyone, when it’s our turn to pick a book are you guys going to select a book following the theme or pick something completely different?

How can anyone read this comprehensively in under 1 hour?! Are the versions so different? I‘m reading the red pine version and I don’t understand a single verse even with all the explanations. 😅
Pls let me know: do you just not care if you understand fully?

Ikr??? The book is not as easy as some people claim. Maybe it’s the translation but I have to reread some of the chapters to get the idea. What’s more, the concepts of Tao and Te are new for a novice like me. Nevertheless, it’s quite interesting, I like this book challenge!

The translation of the book I got is 300 pages long (John Minford)!! I think it also has some annotations with each poem. The poems really make my brain hurt. I’m not used to reading them. Hopefully I will finish this book by this month 🙏🙏

I'm like a quarter of the way through it and part of me thinks maybe I should have read up a little on the general Tao philosophy and what things mean since there's a lot that's going over my head. Will report back if research does help or not!

I ended up going with the version by Chao-Hsui Chen and it has some great brush calligraphy illustrations. Been great to mull over while reading each chapter.

After going down the rabbit hole of trying to compare many many translations of the Tao Te Ching (I must admit chatGPT was somehow involved in there) to find the "best" one for me, I ended up choosing Derek Lin's translation.

This version is surprisingly not as popular as others, but I'm really enjoying this translation thanks to this book's unique style where the book opens with Tao Te Ching's text on the right side (odd # pages) and a nearly line-by-line explanation of the text on the left (even # pages). As Lin explains, this method lets him translate the text as closely to the original as possible (preserving its beauty & power) without the fear of losing their meaning to the modern Western audience since his close explanations explain every line.

If you still haven't decided on the translation, I definitely recommend Derek Lin's version! Although some may consider it over-explained, it was definitely helpful to me as someone who's never read any Eastern philosophy before. Of course, as others mention, the best way is to read multiple versions yourself (and I'm sure other translations are also great), but I'm eager to read the other books on this list first so I'll just stick to one version for now haha.

By the way, have guys seen how many pages there are in the second book? The version I found has more than 800 pages 🤯 I suppose it’s better to start reading it early

As for the current book, it actually gets easier along the way! I have around 10 verses left after a week of slow reading and it feels like I’m learning more closer to the end! I’ll probably reread the beginning, might have missed some of the ideas

Also, I’m glad to read your comments, it’s so nice to have a group for that! Although I don’t know how to reply to the comments in the app 😄

I wonder if Felix will create an official group, there were no emails after filling out the form. So excited to see what he’s going to do!

If anyone is interested, there is a lecture on youtube that gives some context to the book and discusses some passages which I found helpful.

For those wondering which version to
read - there's no "original text" which the lecture explains and the translations tend to have different leanings (i.e. philosophical or religious).

It seems any text will need to have a comentary for the reader to tackle most of the passages. I have a baby and can't really sit and read - ill be dependent on audiobooks and the free recordings I've found don't have commentary. So if like me, you're reliant on audio books, you may want to check out the lecture I've referenced here or others to get more out of this month's book.

Search on youtube: Tao Te Ching it's many lives. Prof Franklin Perkins

Haha I just started it yesterday and I was coasting through it, but then I tried to practice one of its principles that states: It might be easier to understand but almost impossible to practice.
Just a tip for anyone who has finished it fairly sooner. Try to read it again and think about how life will be affected if you start practising these principles. As it is fairly common with any original text of philosophy, it can be translated in many numbers of forms and is different for every single person reading and practising.

So I also found the calligraphy in my version of the book quite beautiful. I am learning Mandarin Chinese right now, so sometimes I can recognize a few characters because modern characters are based off of the ancient writings I see in this book. How interesting! Not too far in yet but I’m loving it so far!

Reading the introduction by Robert Wilkinson helpt me alot with situating the verses!
Especially, quote: "The text is in philosophical terms a summary of conclusions. The arguments on which they are based must be sought elsewhere."

These chapters are so highly condenced, only pure beauty remains! So there indeed is alot to unpack.

Would it be somthing to make some topics under the January Discussion here in this group? Are there people intrested in going a bit more in depth on the contents of Toa Te Ching? I would love to see how other people interpret the concept of Toa for example. Because it's so abstract right? It's just, "the most nothing nothing can be, the Path".
So amazing to see that concept giving birth to so many ideas that contest their own existance in a way.

To anyone struggling to grasp the meaning behind the verses or seeking a deeper understanding of them, I highly recommend this commented version:

"Tao Te Ching: The Taoism of Lao Tzu Explained" by Stefan Stenudd.

I'm reading it alongside Red Pine's version, which I find very useful for the insights it provides from old masters.

Happy reading!

for those still looking for the right translation, i have really been enjoying the one by john minford. for every passage, there are 2-3 quotes from other writers and thinkers through the ages who ruminate on the passage, which i find allows me to really hone in on the text and deepen my understanding of the message. personally, im listening to it on audible and will probably get the small version (just the original passages) in print at a later time.

@Evita I really like that idea - qoutes from other thinkers on each passage. I'll see if I can find that version.

@Antonio Alifano thanks so much for this recommendation. I‘m reading the Stefan Stenudd version now instead of the Red Pine one and it’s so much more suiting to my knowledge and therefore enjoyable. 😄 Maybe the Red Pine one for some time later when I‘m more advanced with this kind of literature.

@Sabine I'm glad you found it helpful! Just keep in mind that it's only one person's interpretation, not necessarily the right one—if such a thing even exists. Many people have different interpretations of the verses, and the beauty of this book is that it speaks to each of us differently :)

I started reading a couple days ago, I’m reading a Finnish version by a Chinese-born poet and translator, whose name happens to be TaoLin! The passages have been hard to understand so far but I don’t intend to stress about it too much.

My reflections on the text - I had to listen twice as I felt unreceptive the first time round. I didn't grasp most of it as I found many of the passages incomprehensible but I was able to take some things from it.

Firstly, its clearly aimed at rulers. Presumably in response to the unrest of the times. It encourages non-interference from the government which I'm all for. It's very - don't step on me XD

Some critiques - I find the teachings non human and contradictory at times.

E.g. 1) Value leads to theft so hold nothing of value? You place value on absolutely everything else why would you have it. If its leaning towards luxury goods - isn't this the eradication of art? I also find it bizarre that the answer to immoral people who steal is to have nothing worth stealing. That's like saying better kill yourself so no one can murder you. Is he talking about wealth instead disparity? Its counter to human nature and in my view not possible through force without heavy government interference which he is against.
I read that it isn't poverty that leads to crime but wealth disparity, so I can see what lau zu is talking about when he says that wealth begets theft, however in our modern day society we are exposed to all sorts of people from around the world via the internet rather than some years before where you were just seeing what you were surrounded by in your immediate area. We're comparing ourselves to to the world now and it seems unavoidable. Rather than removing the opportunity to covet, I think we need to work on our tendencies to compare and want. But I imagine those who would want to work on those things wouldn't be stealing in the first place.

E.g. 2) "No one is dear to the sage. Give to others as you would your parents". I just don't believe humans are capable of this.

E.g. 3) Impartiality is divine. Are the teachings not partial to goodness? Or to non interference? To never take a side would mean allowing evil and to not think. Neither is good in my view.


E.g. 4) "Throw away morality and justice and people will do the right thing" I don't think I agree. I think, in general people do the right thing because that's required to survive in a society, however in our modern day society, our independence is greater compared to earlier times (rather, it seems that way) and we're less obviously reliant on others. I think that leads to the unconscious thinking that there is less need to act in moral ways and I think in those instances a moral framework is important to hammer into people. It also seems contradictory because at times the text will refer to the man's decent heart and not using weapons because that's evil. I don't understand how they can talk about doing away with a system of morality and then referring to one later in the text.

Some things I liked-

"The bliss of eternity can be found in contentment". I like this line and I would like to apply this to my own life more frequently by being grateful for what I have. Although it's not clear to me if they are saying not to envy or not to desire at all. If the former, I will try to apply it to my own life more consciously and I will try not to be discontent.

Selfless action leads to fulfilment - this is similar to Christian teachings and I like this message. This is something id like to do more of.

Soft/yielding overcoming the hard - maybe as a female I have an understanding of this that males wont as there is definitely a way of dealing with the opposite sex that leads to better outcomes XD. I have certainly found this to be true pretty much most of the time. Not just for positive outcomes but for not allowing yourself to be muddied with anger and conflict.

I find similarities with Christianity and Buddhism and there are some passages that are cryptic and mystic that make it seem like he's privy to the Secrets of the origin of the universe and what Life is and what happens after we die. No more to add to this - just a comment.

As far as life teachings go, I prefer stoicism but I took some good things from this text.

I knew going into this book it wasn't for me. I read two different translations and I am glad I did. I'll probably watch that lecture on the book because more context would be nice. But I'm just not that into it, looking forward to all the other books on the list though

my favorite chapters were 22 and 76. I thought the book got better toward the end.

i just finished it and the moment i read the first page i knew it was gonna go over my head (and it did). some did mention watching a video on it to understand tao better so i'll try it. other than that, this one part about 'sucking milk from mother tao!' made me really laugh lmao

adan wrote: "i just finished it and the moment i read the first page i knew it was gonna go over my head (and it did). some did mention watching a video on it to understand tao better so i'll try it. other than..."

Same! Some of the content felt too ambiguous (or maybe too little!) for me! If there's a video you've found to be good I'd love to watch it :D

It had been a long time since I've read a book, this was actually my first one since high school lol. That being said, I still got some enjoyment out of it. There were alot of pages that made sense and that I enjoyed, but at the same time there were a lot more that went right over my head. I will probably come back to it to reread and spend more time with.

For the free months, does anybody have any book recommendations? I was thinking of reading some fiction books for a good changeup, thanks!

This is an interesting book for daily reflections.
I've just read it but it's not something I’ll sit and read cover to cover again, but rather return to certain chapters when I feel the need to let them sink in more. I won’t follow any order or try to 'finish' it, because it feels like this book isn’t meant to be finished—it’s more like an ongoing conversation with myself that keeps evolving

Having reflected on this book I feel it’s something i may reference through my life. I loved this book and loved learning about it and experiencing what it is. Very enjoyable and inlightening read