I am currently working on a new translation of the Tao Te Ching that will wholly replace my previous translations.
My first translation of the Tao, called Tao Te Ching; The Definitive Edition, was published by Penguin-Putnam in 2000. My translation of the text represented my best efforts at the time however, my understanding of the text, and how it should be translated, has since changed. My initial translation was highly interpretive and often strayed from the original text, as I thought this was the only way to reveal the Tao’s deeper meaning. However, now I feel that it’s possible to reveal a deeper meaning of the text while staying close to the original.
The new edition will contain a translation of the text, a word-for-word translation, and commentaries.
In the commentary section I explore various ways each line can be interpreted and translated. I offer my own translation as well as citing various translations from 40+ Chinese scholars. My aim is to give the reader a clear understanding of the Chinese text and a full range of possible ways the text can be translated---and, hopefully, allow the reader to discover Tao’s inner meaning for himself.