The Sage's Tao Te Ching, Tenth Anniversary Edition: Ancient Advice for the Second Half of Life Paperback – August 17, 2010

I like that each page is like a story, you can read a bit , and come back any time. Stick a post it note on the pages you will want to read again, astonishing how this man knew so much, so long ago. Should be required reading in school. Perhaps the inhabitants of this world would be happier, more content, and a kinder human race.

No one ever knows it all but the Sage is more comfortable with what they know, and life seems to be a bit clearer. Their shoes fit, and they dance, while the rest of us, trudge. Our shoes pinch every step of the way. New shoes just might be the answer. Can we find shoes that fit our feet? Few translators follow through with commentaries that really point to the underling and pertinent meaning of a passage. Not so here. Bill Martin's Taoist books thoughtfully and thoroughly focus on allowing the western reader to grasp the theme flowing through each passage, guiding readers to see how it might apply to their life............Not his life, or anyone's life,.......just theirs. He does not dictate an ultimate answer. A Sage is a wisdom seeking person who has gained some insight and is able to follow his own counsel in a world where many of us are lost. That's why the Sage can dance with the stars......Give this a shot. It's a good one.

Although I appreciate William Martin's expertise in Modern Western Daoism, and I particularly enjoy some of his other books (particularly "A Path and a Practice," and his rendition of the Tao Te Ching for Caregivers), the buyer of this book needs to know that: neither this book nor any of Martin's books are translations. Martin doesn't know Chinese, much less ancient Chinese. Martin's renditions of the Tao Te Ching are highly adapted interpretations with bents toward particular audiences. And this rendition comes off as more of an autobiography of his particular journey up to age 55, something like a "chicken soup for Martin's older soul," if you will, than some of his other interpretations. BTW, if you're looking for a true translation, which is more accurate from a literary standpoint (and you may not be if you're following the flow of the Tao - and that's OK), I suggest D.C. Lau's 1963 translation, which separates the various aphorisms in each chapter in a scholarly fashion (http://www.amazon.com/Tao-Te-Ching-Lao-Tzu/dp/014044131X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452349927&sr=1-1&keywords=D+C+Lau+Tao) and Derek Lin's 2006 translation and side by side commentary (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594732043?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00). If you get Lin's, avoid the Kindle version and get a hard copy, as the annotations and explanations are on the facing pages (plus, having a copy of the Tao Te Ching with you is a good thing). Of other non-true-translations, one of my favorites is Stephen Mitchell's (http://www.amazon.com/Tao-Te-Ching-Laozi/dp/0060812451/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452350234&sr=1-1&keywords=stephen++Tao), and it neatly fits into a pocket. Even non-Daoists, who appreciate wisdom poetry and have a sense for the romantic will appreciate the "chilling out" efficacy of whipping this little ancient jewel out of their pockets when they feel a little stress. Not so (at least for me), for Martin's Sage's rendition.

Martin's  The Sage's Tao Te Ching: Ancient Advice for the Second Half of Life  is a series of 81 short meditations inspired by a classical Chinese wisdom text. Do not expect a translation of the original text of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu! Rather this graceful book is a series of short meditations on age-ing and sage-ing.The meditations are short but should not be read in a hurry. Take your time with each one and savor it. I found that reading just one or two (or occasionally three) of these at a time was enough to stimulate my own thinking and feeling about growing older. The author's wisdom joined with Lao Tzu's wisdom is a potent combination.Each meditation has an illustration by Hank Tusinski. Most of these are excellent and go well with the text.

William Martin is a masterful helper. I found this book a blessing. He also wrote a most helpful book called, "The Art of Pastoring", which I have re-read at least 6 times; incredibly helpful for my work as a United Methodist minister, especially when I went through some difficult times.As far as the "zen" comments, I, for one make a slight personal adjustment as I read this book. Whenever I come to the phrase, "the Tao", I simply make the mental translation, "the Lord." Then everything seems to fall into place gracefully for me.I'm preparing to send a copy to a dear friend right now. This book is a great blessing.

The Sage's Tao Te Ching by William Martin is one of the most powerful books I have ever read. I have been on the spiritual path for over 30 years and have read many spiritual books, but this is one I read every day. I read one chapter each morning to think about and ponder as I enjoy my breakfast. It helps me center and calm myself, reminds me of who I really am and what's really important as I start my day. I can't recommend this book highly enough for anyone in the second half of life (however you interpret that). Another powerful book by Mr. Martin is A Path and Practice, also highly recommended.

This is a poor/(public domain?) translation of the Tao te Ching in book form. I will never leave a bad review -- as it still contains the wisdom... but was disappointed in the number of times it uses curly brackets to describe a word, instead of finding a correct word.

I'm sorry but I cannot recommend this book.The Tao Te Ching is a book of wisdom and,for those on the Journey of the Tao,a book of enlightenment.This - I hesitate to say translation -appears to be written for fiver year olds.It's language is simplistic, its reinterpretationsof the original text is childlikeand a great deal is lost in this dumbing downof the original text.Good luck on your journey to finding a good version ofthe Tao Te Ching

such a wonderful book full of wisdom for this age and the second half of life. please buy you will not be disappointed it would make a great gift.

What more is there to say?

Reading this is a must. Delivered fast.

Brilliant little book