
'of Ways You May Speak, But Not The Perennial Way; By Names You May Name, But Not The Perennial Name.' The Best-loved Of All The Classical Books Of China And The Most Universally Popular, The Daodejing Or Classic Of The Way And Life-force Is A Work That Defies Definition. It Encapsulates The Main Tenets Of Daoism, And Upholds A Way Of Being As Well As A Philosophy And A Religion. The Dominant Image Is Of The Way, The Mysterious Path Through The Whole Cosmos Modelled On The Great Silver River Or Milky Way That Traverses The Heavens. A Life-giving Stream, The Way Gives Rise To All Things And Holds Them In Her Motherly Embrace. It Enables The Individual, And Society As A Whole, To Harmonize The Disparate Demands Of Daily Life And Achieve A More Profound Level Of Understanding. This New Translation Draws On The Latest Archaeological Finds And Brings Out The Word Play And Poetry Of The Original. Simple Commentary Accompanies The Text, And The Introduction Provides Further Historical And Interpretative Context. About The Series: For Over 100 Years Oxford World's Classics Has Made Available The Widest Range Of Literature From Around The Globe. Each Affordable Volume Reflects Oxford's Commitment To Scholarship, Providing The Most Accurate Text Plus A Wealth Of Other Valuable Features, Including Expert Introductions By Leading Authorities, Helpful Notes To Clarify The Text, Up-to-date Bibliographies For Further Study, And Much More.
The Daodejing investigates the nature of the 'Way' (Dao) and the principles of living in harmony with the natural order of the cosmos. This translation by Benjamin Penny and Edmund Ryden utilizes recent archaeological discoveries to refine the interpretation of Laozi's foundational text. The authors present the work as both a philosophical framework and a guide for individual and societal conduct, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things through the metaphor of the life-giving stream.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Scholars and readers frequently note that this edition is highly regarded for its balance of academic rigor and accessibility. Experts highlight the inclusion of recent archaeological data as a significant improvement over older, more speculative translations.
Page Count:
224
Publication Date:
2008-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0191549118
ISBN-13:
9780191549113
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