The original mindfulness book, in a landmark new translation by the award-winning translator of the I Ching and The Art of War.

The acclaimed translation of Taoism's founding text in a beautiful Penguin Classics Deluxe edition

The most translated book in the world after the Bible, the Tao Te Ching, or 'Book of the Way', is the essential text of Taoism, one of the three great religions of China. Through aphorisms and parable, it guides its readers toward the Tao, or the 'Way': living in harmony with the life force of the universe. Traditionally attributed to Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher who was a contemporary of Confucius, it offers a practical model for living based on modesty, self-restraint and balance and is an insightful guide for anyone seeking to open their minds, free their thoughts, and attain greater self-awareness.

John Minford's celebrated translation emphasises the calm, meditative quality of the Tao Te Ching, as well as its use as a guide to everyday living. This edition is accompanied by illuminating commentary and interpretation, as well as beautifully illustrated Chinese characters.

"A lucid translation by one of the most famous translators of Chinese into English" - The New York Review of Books

"Ancient wisdom for those facing twenty-first-century perplexities . . . Minford writes for ordinary people seeking guidance in everyday life . . . In simple but resonantly phrased language, he somehow does unfold the Tao's message" - Booklist