Laozi Modern Version

Author: Dai Jianye
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-12-01
Features: Although Laozi once said, "True words are not beautiful, and beautiful words are not true," the words of the Tao Te Ching are truly every word a pearl. It is not merely a "dialogue" between "thought" and "poetry," but rather a "unity" of "thought" and "poetry"—both profound "thought" and beautiful "poetry." Its ideas delve into the mysteries of heaven and earth, its language is nimble and ethereal, and every chapter achieves the state of being both "true" and "beautiful." Laozi is undoubtedly a worthy "poet-philosopher" of ancient China.
Author Bio: Dai Jianye was born on April 17, 1956, in Macheng City, Hubei Province. He graduated from Macheng Fuzihé High School in July 1974 and was admitted to the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Central China Normal University in 1977. He graduated in January 1982 with a Bachelor's degree in Literature and enrolled in the Master's program at the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Southwest Normal University in March 1982, graduating in January 1985 with a Master's degree. He is currently a professor at the School of Liberal Arts, Central China Normal University.
Dai Jianye's Bibliography: Draft on the Poetry of Meng Jia (Zhongzhou Ancient Books Publishing House, 1993), Laozi's Life Philosophy (Taiwan Yangzhi Cultural Company, 1994), History of Tang and Song Poetry and Prose (Hubei Science and Technology Publishing House, 1995), The Realm of Clarity—A New Discussion on Tao Yuanming (Central China Normal University Press, 1998), Comprehensive Dictionary of Chinese Prose (Co-editor) (Zhongzhou Ancient Books Publishing House, 1997), and numerous academic papers and translations.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Laozi and the Tao Te Ching
1. Laozi: A Vague Portrait
2. The Tao Te Ching: Debates and Conclusions
3. The Dao: The Root of Heaven and Earth and the Origin of All Things
4. Nature: The Nature of the Great Dao and the Realm of Human Life
5. Wu Wei: The Way of Governing and the Method of Conduct
6. Paradox: Filling Wisdom Makes Wisdom Great, but Great Skill Is Skillless
7. The Modern Version of the Tao Te Ching: Concept and Features
Chapter 1: The Dao and Virtue
Introduction
1. Discussing the Dao
2. The Origin of All Things
3. The Root of Heaven and Earth
4. Formless Form, Imageless Image
5. Follow Only the Dao
6. The Dao Moves in Opposition
7. The Dao and Things: Unity and Diversity
8. One with the Great Dao, Flowing with Heaven and Earth
9. Respect Those Who Possess the Dao
10. The Highest Virtue Does Not Claim Virtue
Chapter 2: Nature and Artifice
Introduction
1. The Dao Follows Nature
2. What Is Nature?
3. "We Are Already Like This"
4. When the Great Dao Is Abandoned, Righteousness and Justice Arise
5. Return to the State of an Infant
6. Know the White and Guard the Black
7. Follow Nature
8. Again on Following Nature
9. The Way of Nature
10. True Words Are Not Beautiful, and Beautiful Words Are Not True
Chapter 3: Wu Wei and Deeds
Introduction
1. The Boundary Between Wu Wei and Deeds
2. Engage in the Work of Wu Wei, Teach Without Words
3. Heaven and Earth Are Not Benevolent
4. The Good Doer Leaves No Trace, the Good Speaker Leaves No Words
5. Those Who Act Fail, Those Who Cling Lose
6. Wu Wei, Yet Without Doing Nothing
7. The Benefits of Wu Wei
8. Fill Wisdom, Remove Desire, Wu Wei
Chapter 4: The Clumsy and the Skillful
Introduction
1. Do Not Esteem the Virtuous
2. Abandon Wisdom and Knowledge
3. Again on Abandoning Wisdom and Knowledge
4. The World Is Bright, I Alone Am Obscure
5. Nameless and Named
6. Knowing Others Is Wisdom
7. Knowing Oneself Is Clarity
8. Only Because I Am in This Mountain
Chapter 5: The Weak and the Strong
Chapter 6: Stillness and Motion
Chapter 7: Advancement and Retreat
Chapter 8: Service and Seclusion
Chapter 9: Order and Chaos
Chapter 10: War and Peace
Chapter 11: Self-Cultivation and Health
Appendix: The Original Text and Annotations of the Tao Te Ching
Afterword