---
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title: "Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations)"
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# Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations)

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Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations) [Lao Tzu, Derek Lin, Lama Surya Das] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations)

Review: A superior translation of this powerful book - There is no rigorous peer review of Tao Te Ching translations. In this translation, every Chinese character is linked to an English word or phrase. It is translated by Derek Lin. When read side by side with other translations, you might feel you're reading two different books altogether. The translations of this wonderful book vary greatly. The need to keep as close to the original as possible and, at the same time, make it easy to read and understand the meaning is a difficult need to fulfill. But this translation does a great job. Eastern sacred texts, like eastern thought, is the polar opposite of western thought. The Chinese think of the individual only in relation to the collective. In the west, we tend to think of the individual as more important. Indeed, that's the basis on which America was founded. So, it's hard for many westerners to understand, much less apply, the Tao (pronounced DOW) in their own lives. There are parts of it that I simply can't come to grips with myself. Note: In each passage I quote, I'll give you the translation from the translation by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English first, followed by the Lin translation. Be aware that the latter has full annotations and explanations on the facing page. The former does not. One such passage that bothers me is: The Tao of heaven is to take from those who have too much and give to those who do not have enough. Man's way is different. He takes from those who do not have enough and give to those who already have too much. What man has more than enough and gives it to the world? Only the man of Tao. Therefore the sage works without recognition. He achieves what has to be done without dwelling on it. He does not try to show his knowledge. =================== The Tao of Heaven Is like drawing a bow Lower that which is high Raise that which is low Reduce that which has excess Add to that which has deficiency The Tao of Heaven Reduces the excessive And adds to the deficient The Tao of people is not so Reducing the deficient In order to offer to the excessive Who can offer their excess to the world? Only those who have the Tao Therefore, sages act without conceit Achieve without claiming credit They do not wish to display their virtue. This translation says the art of archery is a metaphor for "hitting the target in life." Moreover, this translation does not put the socialist emphasis on the text but translates it into a more pleasing way and one with which I can agree and understand --- that makes more sense to me. The actual text reads less well. But the commentary makes more sense and helps me to understand the true meaning. This is why I value this translation. Now, my problem with this passage in the Jane English translation is that it is socialist and I'm a capitalist. It reads like Marx. But, we must understand the Chinese come from a different place in their thinking. While I can't adopt this passage in my own life, I value it for its representation of the time and place of Lao Tzu. On the other hand, there are other passages that speak to me and help me. For example: (From the Jane English translation) Those who know do not talk. Those who talk do not know. Keep your mouth closed. Guard your senses. Temper your sharpness. Simplify your problems. Mask your brightness. Be at one with the dust of the Earth. This is primal union. He who has achieved this state Is unconcerned with friends and enemies, With good and harm, with honor and disgrace. This therefore is the highest state of man. The above passage makes sense to me. It has a libertarian tone and it appeals to my own belief system of listening more than talking, absorbing information and knowledge rather than providing it to others. We learn from listening, not talking. When we speak, we regurgitate our own thoughts. When we listen, we garner new information and knowledge. The above passage is from the Jane English translation. Now for the Derek Lin translation. Those who know do not talk Those who talk do not know Close the mouth Shut the doors Blunt the sharpness Unravel the knots Dim the glare Mix the dust This is called Mystic Oneness They cannot obtain this and be closer They cannot obtain this and be distant They cannot obtain this and be benefited They cannot obtain this and be harmed They cannot obtain this and be valued They cannot obtain this and be degraded Therefore, they become honored the world. This translation tells us the "dust" is a metaphor for the material world. Sharpness refers to the sharp edge of arrogance. It carefully explains each sentence and makes it clear. The Tao Te Ching is hard to understand in some places and in some translations. I read this lovely translation daily. It's nnotated and explained. This is a beautiful translation of this extraordinary masterpiece and I recommend it highly. - Susanna K. Hutcheson
Review: An outstanding translation - with clear annotations - Derek Lin has performed an outstanding job of helping the Tao to reach out reportedly from a sage Lao Tzu about 2,500 years ago, to the present and still resonate clearly. While the online text found here is missing the annotations that are integral in understanding the translation in today's terms it can be very useful and helpful in that it provides a glimpse for comparison purposes http://www.dereklin.com/Tao-Te-Ching Of the ten translations have been reading, I find this to be easiest to follow. Where a meaning differs from some the other translation, in the annotations he explains why. In looking at some other translations, sometimes I find that the translation appears to be tinted somewhat by the color of the thoughts of the interpreter. Some of the other translations have been reading: John Bright-Fey Tao Te Ching: An Authentic Taoist Translation , The Whole Heart of Tao (The Whole Heart series) ; Stephen Addis & Stanley Lombardo Tao Te Ching by Lao-Tzu, Addiss, Stephen, Lombardo, Stanley, Watson, Burton copyright 1993 Edition [Paperback(1993) ]; Dennis Waller Tao Te Ching- Lao Tzu, A Translation ; Witter Bynner The Way of Life, According to Laotzu ; Ron Hogan; JH McDonald; Jane English & Gia Fu-Feng Perhaps looking here will be helpful as well: http://www.duhtao.com/sidebyside.html I found that Alan Watts with Al Chung-liang Huang writing in Tao: The Watercourse Way to be informative. So was Thomas Merton's book The Way of Chuang Tzu (Second Edition)

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #67,503 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #16 in Tao Te Ching (Books) #17 in Taoism (Books) #26 in Taoist Philosophy |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (775) |
| Dimensions  | 5.5 x 0.52 x 8.5 inches |
| Edition  | 1st |
| ISBN-10  | 1594732043 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-1594732041 |
| Item Weight  | 2.31 pounds |
| Language  | English |
| Part of series  | SkyLight Illuminations |
| Print length  | 208 pages |
| Publication date  | August 1, 2006 |
| Publisher  | SkyLight Paths |

## Images

![Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71DAmlo8WZL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A superior translation of this powerful book
*by A***M on June 27, 2009*

There is no rigorous peer review of Tao Te Ching translations. In this translation, every Chinese character is linked to an English word or phrase. It is translated by Derek Lin. When read side by side with other translations, you might feel you're reading two different books altogether. The translations of this wonderful book vary greatly. The need to keep as close to the original as possible and, at the same time, make it easy to read and understand the meaning is a difficult need to fulfill. But this translation does a great job. Eastern sacred texts, like eastern thought, is the polar opposite of western thought. The Chinese think of the individual only in relation to the collective. In the west, we tend to think of the individual as more important. Indeed, that's the basis on which America was founded. So, it's hard for many westerners to understand, much less apply, the Tao (pronounced DOW) in their own lives. There are parts of it that I simply can't come to grips with myself. Note: In each passage I quote, I'll give you the translation from the translation by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English first, followed by the Lin translation. Be aware that the latter has full annotations and explanations on the facing page. The former does not. One such passage that bothers me is: The Tao of heaven is to take from those who have too much and give to those who do not have enough. Man's way is different. He takes from those who do not have enough and give to those who already have too much. What man has more than enough and gives it to the world? Only the man of Tao. Therefore the sage works without recognition. He achieves what has to be done without dwelling on it. He does not try to show his knowledge. =================== The Tao of Heaven Is like drawing a bow Lower that which is high Raise that which is low Reduce that which has excess Add to that which has deficiency The Tao of Heaven Reduces the excessive And adds to the deficient The Tao of people is not so Reducing the deficient In order to offer to the excessive Who can offer their excess to the world? Only those who have the Tao Therefore, sages act without conceit Achieve without claiming credit They do not wish to display their virtue. This translation says the art of archery is a metaphor for "hitting the target in life." Moreover, this translation does not put the socialist emphasis on the text but translates it into a more pleasing way and one with which I can agree and understand --- that makes more sense to me. The actual text reads less well. But the commentary makes more sense and helps me to understand the true meaning. This is why I value this translation. Now, my problem with this passage in the Jane English translation is that it is socialist and I'm a capitalist. It reads like Marx. But, we must understand the Chinese come from a different place in their thinking. While I can't adopt this passage in my own life, I value it for its representation of the time and place of Lao Tzu. On the other hand, there are other passages that speak to me and help me. For example: (From the Jane English translation) Those who know do not talk. Those who talk do not know. Keep your mouth closed. Guard your senses. Temper your sharpness. Simplify your problems. Mask your brightness. Be at one with the dust of the Earth. This is primal union. He who has achieved this state Is unconcerned with friends and enemies, With good and harm, with honor and disgrace. This therefore is the highest state of man. The above passage makes sense to me. It has a libertarian tone and it appeals to my own belief system of listening more than talking, absorbing information and knowledge rather than providing it to others. We learn from listening, not talking. When we speak, we regurgitate our own thoughts. When we listen, we garner new information and knowledge. The above passage is from the Jane English translation. Now for the Derek Lin translation. Those who know do not talk Those who talk do not know Close the mouth Shut the doors Blunt the sharpness Unravel the knots Dim the glare Mix the dust This is called Mystic Oneness They cannot obtain this and be closer They cannot obtain this and be distant They cannot obtain this and be benefited They cannot obtain this and be harmed They cannot obtain this and be valued They cannot obtain this and be degraded Therefore, they become honored the world. This translation tells us the "dust" is a metaphor for the material world. Sharpness refers to the sharp edge of arrogance. It carefully explains each sentence and makes it clear. The Tao Te Ching is hard to understand in some places and in some translations. I read this lovely translation daily. It's nnotated and explained. This is a beautiful translation of this extraordinary masterpiece and I recommend it highly. - Susanna K. Hutcheson

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An outstanding translation - with clear annotations
*by D***E on May 31, 2013*

Derek Lin has performed an outstanding job of helping the Tao to reach out reportedly from a sage Lao Tzu about 2,500 years ago, to the present and still resonate clearly. While the online text found here is missing the annotations that are integral in understanding the translation in today's terms it can be very useful and helpful in that it provides a glimpse for comparison purposes http://www.dereklin.com/Tao-Te-Ching Of the ten translations have been reading, I find this to be easiest to follow. Where a meaning differs from some the other translation, in the annotations he explains why. In looking at some other translations, sometimes I find that the translation appears to be tinted somewhat by the color of the thoughts of the interpreter. Some of the other translations have been reading: John Bright-Fey Tao Te Ching: An Authentic Taoist Translation , The Whole Heart of Tao (The Whole Heart series) ; Stephen Addis & Stanley Lombardo Tao Te Ching by Lao-Tzu, Addiss, Stephen, Lombardo, Stanley, Watson, Burton copyright 1993 Edition [Paperback(1993) ]; Dennis Waller Tao Te Ching- Lao Tzu, A Translation ; Witter Bynner The Way of Life, According to Laotzu ; Ron Hogan; JH McDonald; Jane English & Gia Fu-Feng Perhaps looking here will be helpful as well: http://www.duhtao.com/sidebyside.html I found that Alan Watts with Al Chung-liang Huang writing in Tao: The Watercourse Way to be informative. So was Thomas Merton's book The Way of Chuang Tzu (Second Edition)

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Helpful annotations
*by A***R on August 26, 2025*

I found the annotations helpful and really enjoyed this translation.

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*Last updated: 2026-03-10*