Manesse
Tao Tê King. Translated from the Chinese
The Tao Tê King is a classic work of Chinese philosophy attributed to Laozi, a legendary sage who is said to have lived in the 6th century BC. The text consists of 81 short chapters and deals with fundamental questions of metaphysics, ethics and politics. The work is one of the most important texts of Daoism, a philosophical and religious tradition that originated in China.
The German translation and commentary of the Tao Tê King by Victor von Strauß (1809-1899) represents a significant contribution to the reception of Chinese philosophy in Europe. Strauß was a German sinologist and translator who dealt intensively with the classics of Chinese literature and philosophy. His translation of the Tao Tê King from 1870 is considered to be one of the first complete translations of the text into German and is still of great importance today.
In his translation, Strauss endeavored to render the original as accurately as possible, while trying to preserve the poetic and often metaphorical language of the text. The Tao Tê King is known for its concise and profound statements, which are often formulated in a paradoxical or enigmatic style. Strauss' translation reflects these characteristics, which makes reading the text an intellectual challenge.
A central theme of the Tao Tê King is the concept of "Tao" (Dao), which literally means "way" or "path". In a philosophical sense, Tao stands for the universal principle that forms the basis of the entire cosmos. It is the source and goal of all things, the inexpressible that nevertheless permeates and orders everything. Laozi describes the Tao as a kind of natural law that cannot be influenced by human action, but to which one must adapt in order to live in harmony with the world.
The second key concept is "Te" (De), which is often translated as "virtue" or "power". In the context of Tao, Te refers to the manifestation of Tao in the world and in man. A person who lives in accordance with the Tao develops Te and acts naturally, without compulsion and without egoism. In his commentaries, Strauss emphasizes the ethical dimension of the text, which calls on us to live in harmony with nature and universal law.
Strauss' commentary on the translation is particularly valuable as it sheds light on the historical and cultural context of the text. He explains the meaning of many terms and concepts that are little known in Western philosophy. He also offers interpretations that enable the reader to grasp the deeper meaning of the Tao Tê King. His work helps to provide Western readers with access to one of the most fundamental texts of Chinese wisdom teaching.
Overall, the translation and commentary of the Tao Tê King by Victor von Strauß is an important milestone in the reception of Chinese philosophy in German. His work has contributed to making the teachings of Laozi known in the West and to developing an understanding of the complex and profound nature of Daoism. Strauß' work shows how fruitful the dialog between cultures can be and how timeless the wisdom of the Tao Tê King is.