Welcome to Litsy!

I tried reading the Tao Te Ching years ago, but didn‘t get far. I don‘t remember what inspired me to give it a try again — I saw it mentioned somewhere recently — but I am so glad I came across Ursula K. LeGuin‘s version of it at my library. Her approach worked really well for me. She examined many translations, then decided on the words/meanings/interpretations that worked best for her. (cont‘d below)

Almost done with this one! I like it enough that I think I might need a hard copy (this copy belongs to the library). It‘d be nice to have it just kicking around the house to pull out at random and consult on a whim.

Late science fiction master presents her take on Lao Tzu's classic work. She calls it a "rendition," as she does not translate Chinese, but uses other translations and interpretations to create one uniquely her own and well suited to modern readers. It's a classic because it speaks to timeless problems and paradoxes of human existence.

[I received an advanced copy of this reissue from #Netgalley. The book is due to be published May 14, 2019.]

Lovely and unexpected. Slippery with playful twists and turns to upturn conventional logic. Interesting to see that figuring out my own views about how to exist in the death spectacle of capitalism has led me to similar conclusions, especially where it concerns ambition, greed, envy, "being competitive", "being the best", "climbing the corporate ladder", "surviving the rat race", and other similar "common sense" notions that make me want to die.

Reading this to get an understanding of Le Guin's philosophy in Earthsea, thanks to discussion comments by @2BR02B. I didn't know she had done this; it's a lyrical interpretation, not a translation as such. It's not something you read straight through, more like something to dip in and out of and think about... I'm loving the rhythm, the pace, the subtle winding loops of the philosophy 💫 #always #QuotsyFeb18 @TK-421

#EarthseaChapterADay

I highly recommend this particular interpretation of the Tao Te Ching! It may not be the most literal or academic version, but it is accessible and poetic. This classic needed a woman's touch! 🌊☯🚺

#goals #2017

When the mail comes with all the books! I ordered a book set from the Brookings Institute on current affairs issues in December that came with a tote bag. The cherry on top: Ursula K. Le Guin's translation of Tao Te Ching! 🍒📚

Reading/ studying/ absorbing this work at a very sedate pace. #poetry Maybe not a conventional choice, but one that resonates with me.