This book is translated directly from the Chinese and sets out to provide as nearly as possible a literal translation, giving English text without gratuitous interpretation. There are full translator's notes and many footnotes to assist the reader to come to his or her individual understanding of the text. In this way there is as little as possible of forcing Western concepts on the material. The book will appeal to anyone of a philosophic turn of mind and makes an ideal gift. Peter Land believes that the Tao is a better underpinning of the Christian ethic than Plato. Certainly, with our civilisation seeming not to be sure of its purpose, these principles should be considered.