--- product_id: 6603681 title: "Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations)" price: "€ 42.69" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.at/products/6603681-tao-te-ching-annotated-and-explained-skylight-illuminations store_origin: AT region: Austria --- # Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations) **Price:** € 42.69 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations) - **How much does it cost?** € 42.69 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.at](https://www.desertcart.at/products/6603681-tao-te-ching-annotated-and-explained-skylight-illuminations) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description The enduring wisdom of the Tao Te Ching can become a companion for your own spiritual journey. Reportedly written by a sage named Lao Tzu over 2,500 years ago, the Tao Te Ching is one of the most succinct―and yet among the most profound―spiritual texts ever written. Short enough to read in an afternoon, subtle enough to study for a lifetime, the Tao Te Ching distills into razor-sharp poetry centuries of spiritual inquiry into the Tao―the "Way" of the natural world around us that reveals the ultimate organizing principle of the universe. Derek Lin's insightful commentary, along with his new translation from the original Chinese―a translation that sets a whole new standard for accuracy―will inspire your spiritual journey and enrich your everyday life. It highlights the Tao Te Ching ’s insights on simplicity, balance, and learning from the paradoxical truths you can see all around you: finding strength through flexibility (because bamboo bends, it is tough to break); achieving goals by transcending obstacles (water simply flows around rocks on its way to the sea); believing that small changes bring powerful results (a sapling, in time, grows into a towering tree). Now you can experience the wisdom and power of Lao Tzu’s words even if you have no previous knowledge of the Tao Te Ching . SkyLight Illuminations provides insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that describes helpful historical background, explains the Tao Te Ching ’s poetic imagery, and elucidates the ancient Taoist wisdom that will speak to your life today and energize your spiritual quest. 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: Excellent Translation - Very easy to read and understand. Very informative. Great translation. ## Features - Used Book in Good Condition ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #121,929 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #28 in Tao Te Ching (Books) #36 in Taoism (Books) #59 in Taoist Philosophy | | Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 785 Reviews | ## 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 ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent Translation *by K***N on March 27, 2026* Very easy to read and understand. Very informative. Great translation. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ancient guidance for modern minds *by D***Y on August 9, 2025* This edition of the Tao te Ching pairs the translator’s detailed notes on the left page with the verses—or “teachings”—on the right. I often read the right page first, then the translation, then returned to the right page again. The verses feel very much like proverbs—short, poetic reflections full of wisdom and open to interpretation. While “teachings” is a common label, the text seems less like strict doctrine and more like timeless guidance that encourages contemplation rather than rigid belief. I appreciated the translator’s effort to stay close to the original meaning, especially compared to other versions that use vaguer language and lose nuance. However, I did wish for more background context to better understand Taoism’s deeper concepts and cultural roots. Overall, this version is a thoughtful and engaging read that inspired me to keep exploring the Tao and revisit the text with fresh eyes --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.at/products/6603681-tao-te-ching-annotated-and-explained-skylight-illuminations](https://www.desertcart.at/products/6603681-tao-te-ching-annotated-and-explained-skylight-illuminations) --- *Product available on Desertcart Austria* *Store origin: AT* *Last updated: 2026-06-03*