This incisive, illuminating translation of the Tao Te Ching treats these sacred writings as religious philosophy having as their central message the value of peace. Refreshing and challenging, this is a landmark work for all those investigating Eastern religion and philosophy.

"The finest translation of the Tao I've found...I've read 30 translations of the Tao Te Ching, and Ellen Chen's is easily the finest. It is not just that the Tao is itself a book of deep insight and wisdom. Ms. Chen's translation is simply enormously more insightful and, well, right on, than anyone else's. Each chapter is a little masterpiece; the wisdom contained in the Tao simply shines much more brightly through Ms. Chen's translation than through anyone else's that I've read (I've read all of the readily-available translations). Each chapter comes with extensive commentary, where the author respectfully discusses alternate readings for the chapter, including her rationale for her particular choice. These discussions themselves are enormously helpful in bringing out both the subtleties of the text and that ineffable quality of which the text itself speaks."–Dave Schultz, from Richmond, CA