Name: Tao Te Ching (for Novices)
Rating: 3.57569558101473 (1222 reviews)

Lao Tzu

Nik Marcel

The Tao Te Ching contains the teachings of Lao Tzu, and is considered a fundamental text of the Taoist tradition. The English text has been translated from the French.

English & French

Tao Te Ching (for Novices)

Ernest Hemingway

*Winner of the Pulitzer Prize* “A beautiful tale, awash in the seasalt and sweat, bait and beer of the Havana coast. It tells a fundamental human truth: in a volatile world, from our first breath to our last wish, through triumphs and pitfalls both trivial and profound, what sustains us, ultimately, is hope.” —The Guardian The last of his novels Ernest Hemingway saw published, The Old Man and the Sea has proved itself to be one of the most enduring works of American fiction. The story of a down-on-his-luck Cuban fisherman and his supreme ordeal—a relentless, agonizing battle with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf Stream—has been cherished by generations of readers. Hemingway takes the timeless themes of courage in the face of adversity and personal triumph won from loss and transforms them into a magnificent twentieth-century classic. First published in 1952, this hugely popular tale confirmed his power and presence in the literary world and played a large part in his winning the 1954 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Old Man and the Sea

I found myself getting bored when reading this book, so I'm afraid I missed the point of this book. However, as far as I can understand it talks about patience and hard work.

Engin Erdurmaz

The Old Man and the Sea is one of Hemingway’s most enduring works. Told in language of great simplicity and power, the story of an old Cuban fisherman, down on his luck, and his supreme ordeal—a relentless, agonizing battle with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf Stream, on the water for months without a catch, but refusing to stop trying.

Here Hemingway recasts, in strikingly contemporary style, the timeless theme of courage and commitment in the face of defeat, of personal triumph won from loss. Written in 1952, this hugely successful novella confirmed his talent and presence in the literary world and played a large part in his winning the 1954 Nobel Prize for Literature.

The Old Man and the Sea

Sarthak Verma

This book is like a cold breeze in hot summer days.<br />In the end, you will be at peace thinking that now you have read it and it was beautiful.

The Old Man and the Sea is a beautiful book, reminded me alot of my grandfather as Ernest Hemimgway's description was very much on point. 

I wasn't really pleased with the ending; I do realise the potrayal of realism was needed but  it couldve been more descriptive like how it had been from the introduction to the ending .

The ending felt little shallow and messy.

Hence, I couldn't give it a full 5 stars.

Aarush Arora

The Old Man and the Sea is a beautiful book, reminded me alot of my grandfather as Ernest Hemimgway's description was very much on point. 
I wasn't really pleased with the ending; I do realise the potrayal of realism was needed but  it couldve been more descriptive like how it had been from the introduction to the ending .
The ending felt little shallow and messy.
Hence, I couldn't give it a full 5 stars.

Dani

Con un lenguaje de gran fuerza y sencillez, El viejo y el mar narra la historia de un viejo pescador cubano a quien la suerte parece haber abandonado, y del desafío mayor al que se enfrenta: la batalla despiadada y sin tregua con un pez gigantesco en las aguas del golfo.

Un enorme marlín

El viejo y el mar

Marco yauri 

Es un libro que he disfrutado por la aventura que tiene, sin embargo es un libro muy flojo en trama y en final a mi parecer. 
El autor ha trabajado de una manera limpia sin embargo me he llegado a aburrir por partes.
El protagonista es sabio y aventurero y me quedo con eso.

El viejo y el mar ; Las nieves del Kilimanyaro ; La vida breve y feliz de Francis Macomber

Clásico. La historia de una pelea constante en la que la victoria es, simplemente, haber podido luchar. 

Carlos Mullor

In modern times, this book feels anti-algorithmic.

One fisherman. One boat. Blood, salt, fatigue.

Too far out in the sea for hours where nothing happens.

The nothingness is the medium with which Hemingway conveys everything. The struggle, the restraint, the wrestle with a challenge.

Almost like punching a bag for hours. There’s rhythm, no arc.

A book about maintaining form under pressure. 

Santiago, the fisherman, doesn’t “discover” himself in the sea. He doesn’t transform. He doesn’t resolve a psychological arc. He holds the line. That’s it.

Hemingway’s ethic is brutally conservative here: dignity is not self-expression or growth; dignity is not breaking.

The book is not inspiring nor magnetic, just coherent.

Ritik Sahni

In modern times, this book feels anti-algorithmic.

One fisherman. One boat. Blood, salt, fatigue.

Too far out in the sea for hours where nothing happens.

The nothingness is the medium with which Hemingway conveys everything. The struggle, the restraint, the wrestle with a challenge.

Almost like punching a bag for hours. There’s rhythm, no arc.

A book about maintaining form under pressure. 

Santiago, the fisherman, doesn’t “discover” himself in the sea. He doesn’t transform. He doesn’t resolve a psychological arc. He holds the line. That’s it.

Hemingway’s ethic is brutally conservative here: dignity is not self-expression or growth; dignity is not breaking.

The book is not inspiring nor magnetic, just coherent.

Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English

Tao te Ching - 1 Fen Gia Fu. tr II English, Jan tr III Title.

Tao Lao Tsu Te Ching

Some people might find it hard to proceed and some might easily understand this book in the most gentle way. I think I'm the latter, this book directly talk to my heart in the most tender way possible.

Buku ini berusia lebih dari 2400 tahun, tetapi hingga detik ini, saya seperti dipertontonkan keadaan masa lampau yang problematikanya identik dengan apa yang terjadi sekarang. Rasanya, 2000 tahun hanya dipisahkan sekat tipis. 

Dalam buku ini, Laozi lebih banyak menitikberatkan pada keseimbangan, penguasa harus punya kelembutan hati, harus menjadi penyejuk bagi rakyat, bukannya mengedepankan paksaan, kekerasan dan dominasi saat rakyat masih banyak menderita.

Ada satu bagian dari buku ini yang membuat saya merinding karena korelasinya dengan apa yang terjadi saat ini, di negara ini dan seluruh belahan dunia yang terasa dekat, mencekat dan nyata;

Because the rulers eat up the money in taxes.

Why do the people think so little of death?

Because the rulers demand too much of life. 

Therefore the people take death lightly. 

Having little to live on, one knows better than to value life too much. »

Saya kebetulan membaca buku ini setelah selesai dengan Analects yang berisi buah pikiran Confucius. Kalau boleh diibaratkan, membaca Analects seperti seorang murid yang diharuskan membaca naskah panjang secara lantang kemudian Dao De Jing datang sebagai segelas air yang menghilangkan dahaga.

Analects lebih seperti didikan yang tegas sedangkan Dao De Jing sendiri lebih seperti nasihat yang lembut dan penuh kasih. Memang tidak bisa langsung dibandingkan begitu saja karena kedua tokoh mempunyai background yang berbeda dan Analects sendiri lebih seperti pedoman bagi kaum pelajar masa itu, terjemahannya juga lebih terasa nuansa akademika.

Dao De Jing yang saya baca diterjemahkan oleh Gia-Fu Feng, seorang pengikut Taoist yang secara lembut dan serius menyampaikan ajaran Laozi lewat buku ini dan cara yang beliau tempuh sangat berhasil mengetuk hati saya untuk lebih mudah memahami buku ini.

Seperti buku kuno lain yang telah melawati perjalanan abad, perubahan masa dan perbedaan pikiran pembacanya, tiap orang akan memiliki perspektif yang berbeda saat membacanya. Patut dicoba meski hanya sebatas napak tilas pemikiran filsuf terdahulu. 

Pierre

Some people might find it hard to proceed and some might easily understand this book in the most gentle way. I think I'm the latter, this book directly talk to my heart in the most tender way possible.

Buku ini berusia lebih dari 2400 tahun, tetapi hingga detik ini, saya seperti dipertontonkan keadaan masa lampau yang problematikanya identik dengan apa yang terjadi sekarang. Rasanya, 2000 tahun hanya dipisahkan sekat tipis. 

Dalam buku ini, Laozi lebih banyak menitikberatkan pada keseimbangan, penguasa harus punya kelembutan hati, harus menjadi penyejuk bagi rakyat, bukannya mengedepankan paksaan, kekerasan dan dominasi saat rakyat masih banyak menderita.

Ada satu bagian dari buku ini yang membuat saya merinding karena korelasinya dengan apa yang terjadi saat ini, di negara ini dan seluruh belahan dunia yang terasa dekat, mencekat dan nyata;

« Why are the people starving?

Because the rulers eat up the money in taxes.

Therefore the people are starving.

Why are the people rebellious?

Because the rulers interfere too much.

Therefore they are rebellious.

Why do the people think so little of death?

Because the rulers demand too much of life. 

Therefore the people take death lightly. 

Having little to live on, one knows better than to value life too much. »

Saya kebetulan membaca buku ini setelah selesai dengan Analects yang berisi buah pikiran Confucius. Kalau boleh diibaratkan, membaca Analects seperti seorang murid yang diharuskan membaca naskah panjang secara lantang kemudian Dao De Jing datang sebagai segelas air yang menghilangkan dahaga.

Analects lebih seperti didikan yang tegas sedangkan Dao De Jing sendiri lebih seperti nasihat yang lembut dan penuh kasih. Memang tidak bisa langsung dibandingkan begitu saja karena kedua tokoh mempunyai background yang berbeda dan Analects sendiri lebih seperti pedoman bagi kaum pelajar masa itu, terjemahannya juga lebih terasa nuansa akademika.

Dao De Jing yang saya baca diterjemahkan oleh Gia-Fu Feng, seorang pengikut Taoist yang secara lembut dan serius menyampaikan ajaran Laozi lewat buku ini dan cara yang beliau tempuh sangat berhasil mengetuk hati saya untuk lebih mudah memahami buku ini.

Seperti buku kuno lain yang telah melawati perjalanan abad, perubahan masa dan perbedaan pikiran pembacanya, tiap orang akan memiliki perspektif yang berbeda saat membacanya. Patut dicoba meski hanya sebatas napak tilas pemikiran filsuf terdahulu. 

Anna Cassmer Ling-Vannérus

Slow start, but I ended up really vibing with that fisherman hoe. I was very worried Santiago was going to die without seeing the boy again or get the recognition he deserved for catching a big one.

Him and his fish friend were a thang tho #nohomo

Nasser Alhouti

Slow start, but I ended up really vibing with that fisherman hoe. I was very worried Santiago was going to die without seeing the boy again or get the recognition he deserved for catching a big one.

Him and his fish friend were a thang tho #nohomo

what an amazing read, full of philosophy and wisdom and insights about life and about time and challenges, reminded me a lot of aristotle’s philosophy of life, and concepts of happiness and peace and love for the self and confidence. truly truly amazing 

Weliton Soranzo

Lara

eryc

MOST LOVED. MOST RED. Ten must-read modern classics. '"But man is not made for defeat," he said. "A man can be destroyed but not defeated."' In the baking sun, in a small village off the coast of Havana, lives an old fisherman named Santiago. It has been eighty-four days since he last caught a fish. The locals call it bad luck. Refusing to accept defeat, Santiago sets off in his tiny skiff alone, fishing further out than ever before. It is here, over a number of days, that he, his will and his character are tested beyond imagination. Faced with bad weather, hunger and thirst, the old man finds himself in battle with a giant marlin, a fish bigger than any to have been caught before. Nature is not kind and gentle in this fable, nor is Hemingway. You hold in your hands one of the very best pieces of writing to have ever been created.

Peculiar book that's incredibly boring but so page turning too. 

The sea is such a cruel mistress and man is not meant to tame it. 

Hemingway says absolutely nothing with this book and I find myself perplexed about what it makes me want to say, if anything at all. 

Liam Richardson

Peculiar book that's incredibly boring but so page turning too. 

The sea is such a cruel mistress and man is not meant to tame it. 

Hemingway says absolutely nothing with this book and I find myself perplexed about what it makes me want to say, if anything at all. 

A different reading experience.

Evan

My first Hemingway, it's pretty amazing the man can get a lot of story out of so few elements. An old man, his small boat at sea, and a big fish. It's nothing super exciting and yet he makes this short read a pretty high-stakes thrill.
 I recommend the book to everyone, I think it's a fun journey that despite the boring sound of being mostly a man's inner contemplations of his current situation and life. I enjoyed it a lot and intend to give it as a gift.

Itzel

We had to read this for school this year.

I didn't like it.

I almost never like books that we have to read for school.

But I just found this one boooring. Like, really, an entire book to describe how long it took to fish a damn fish.

I understand that it's supposed to illustrate about, idk, perseverance, and stuff like that, but it was WAY too SLOW for my taste. So thank you.

It was weird how he kept talking to his hands.

It was like Gollum.

The Old Man and the Sea is much more than the story of a fisherman or an American-style hero. It is a fable about the process of individuation, with the wise old man, the ego fish, the sea mind and the divine child.

Tao Te Ching (for Novices) English & French

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