Arthur Waley s brilliant and definitive translation of one of the foremost of all mystical books, Lao Tzu s Tao Te Ching, has become a modern classic in its own right. Unlike previous translations, it is founded not on the medieval commentaries but on a close study of all the early Chinese literature, and it provides a singular example of authoritative scholarship skillfully blended with brilliant, precise writing. In his introduction, Dr. Waley gives an extensive scholarly account of Chinese thought down to the end of the third century B.C. Here, the author presents a full picture of Chinese prehistory, early philosophy, and literature, showing the original, lofty conception of Taoism before the gradual corruption through the course of centuries, tracing this conflict of philosophies and its background of politics."
- ISBN10 0041810147
- ISBN13 9780041810141
- Publish Date December 1934
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 1 June 1994
- Publish Country AU
- Imprint Allen & Unwin
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 262
- Language English