Has anyone read the Tao te ching? Translations?

Question

What translation did you use and how did you enjoy it?
I'm looking at getting the Red Pine translation specifically, and wondering if anyone had any input?

Answer 1

I first found the Gia-Fu Feng/ Jane English edition which I liked very much.

I subsequently bought Ursula K. Le Guin's which is interesting but I didn't get along with it so well.

For quick quotes I use this on-line translation by Derek Lin (below, along with Red Pine's for comparison).

I'm afraid I hadn't read Red Pine's translation until now. I had a quick glance just now, but I think I prefer the poetry of Derek Lin's. Just my opinion.
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Answer 2

It depends upon my mood. When I first read Raymond Blakney's, I thought it was good. Reading it now, I have to remind myself what the words mean, because so many have changed meanings since he did his translation. That said, when I want a quote from the DaoDeJing, that is the translation I use. Either/both of Henricks translations (_ Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching: A Translation of the Startling New Documents Found at Guodian_ and _Lao-tzu Te-Tao Ching_ are useful to demonstrate difficult it is to translate this work. Red Pine's _Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching_ includes some traditional commentary for each chapter. This makes it slightly easier to see the intended meaning, than most other translations. Finally, Crowley's translation is useful, as a practical demonstration of why people who are not fluent in both Archaic, and Classical Chinese should not be allowed to publish their translation.

Answer 3

The Stephen Mitchell translation is top-notch.

Answer 4

Like the bible, almost all of the meaning is lost in translation. Good luck, though.

Answer 5

I have read it, and like the James Legge version. It is an older translation.