Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching : A Translation of the Startling New Documents Found at Guodian - Lao Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching

A Translation of the Startling New Documents Found at Guodian

By: Lao Lao Tzu, Robert Henricks (Translator)

Hardcover | 22 September 2000 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Hardcover


$178.25

or 4 interest-free payments of $44.56 with

 or 

Aims to ship in 15 to 25 business days

In 1993, an astonishing discovery was made at a tomb in Guodian in Hubei province (east central China). Written on strips of bamboo that have miraculously survived intact since 300 B.C., the "Guodian Laozi," is by far the earliest version of the "Tao Te Ching" ever unearthed. Students of ancient Chinese civilization proclaimed the text a decisive breakthrough in the understanding of this famous text: it provides the most conclusive evidence to date that the text was the work of multiple authors and editors over hundreds of years, rather than the achievement of a single individual writing during the time of Confucius.

Robert Henricks now presents the first English translation of the "bamboo slip Laozi." Differing substantially from other versions we have of the text, the Guodian Laozi provides us with clues on how and when the text came into being. As Henricks's translation shows, many chapters are missing in this form of the text, and some chapters remain incomplete. All of this seems to suggest that the "Tao Te Ching" was not yet "complete" when these slips were copied.

In his translation, Henricks focuses attention on lines in each of the chapters that vary from readings in other editions. In addition, he shows how the sequence of chapters in this form of the text is totally unrelated to the sequence readers commonly see in the "standard" form of the text, i.e., in other translations.

Here are just a few of the noteworthy features of this new "Tao Te Ching: "

A lucid introduction to the Guodian Laozi, offering background on the archaeological interpretation of the discovery

Line-by-line comparisons of the Guodian Laozi against the Mawangdui and Wang Bi editions

Extensive notes on each chapter describing the unique elements of the Guodian Laozi in comparison with other versions

Transcriptions for each chapter, noting both the ancient and modern form of the characters in the chapter

An appendix featuring the official biography of Laozi written by Sima Qian, the Grand Historian of China, as well as Henricks's commentary and notes on this biography

This groundbreaking work will lead to a reassessment of the history and significance of this well-known and critical work as well as a reevaluation of the role it played in the development of Taoism in early China.

Industry Reviews
Meticulously researched...Very readable and enjoyable. Library Journal

More in Philosophy

Ikigai : 43 Japanese words to live by - Mari Fujimoto

RRP $27.99

$26.50

Equality : What It Means and Why It Matters - Thomas Piketty
History of Western Philosophy : Routledge Classics - Bertrand Russell
Man's Search For Meaning - Viktor E Frankl
The Prophet : Penguin Classics Hardcover - Kahlil Gibran

RRP $32.99

$30.25

The Choice : A true story of hope - Edith Eger

RRP $24.99

$23.75

The Art of War & Other Classics of Eastern Philosophy : Leather-bound Classics - Sun Tzu
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse - Charlie Mackesy

RRP $40.00

$35.35

12%
OFF
12 Rules for Life : Antidote to Chaos - Jordan B. Peterson

RRP $22.99

$21.90

Ikigai : The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life - Hector Garcia
Be Water, My Friend : The True Teachings of Bruce Lee - Shannon Lee
Bright Shining : how grace changes everything - Julia Baird
Colonialism : A Moral Reckoning - Nigel Biggar

RRP $34.99

$23.75

32%
OFF
Beyond Order : 12 More Rules for Life - Jordan B. Peterson

RRP $22.99

$21.90

Meditations : The Annotated Edition - Marcus Aurelius

RRP $49.99

$38.75

22%
OFF
Aristotle's Organon in Old and New Logic : 1800-1950 - Colin Guthrie King

RRP $170.00

$125.75

26%
OFF
The Golden Road : How Ancient India Transformed the World - William Dalrymple
We Who Wrestle With God : Perceptions of the Divine - Jordan B. Peterson