Opinion on Best Version of Tao?

[angieio]

Lately, I have really gotten interested in reading the Tao Te Ching. I'd like to purchase a book concerning the Tao, and wondered which translations/versions are considered to be the closest to the original, the easiest to read, or simply the best overall.

Please let me know what you think I ought to look for. (Ugh! Didja see me end that sentence with a preposition?) Thanks!

[Calibas]

I've read a few different translations. I wouldn't say any are superior, the original text is full of metaphors and double meanings that often get lost in translation. Comparing different translations can help uncover more of the meaning.

I posted this comparison on another thread.

Here's a quick comparison:
Chang Chung-yuan:

The Tao that can be spoken of is not the Tao itself.
The name that can be given is not the name itself.

R.B. Blakney:

There are ways but the Way is uncharted;
There are names but not nature in words;

Gia-Fu Feng:

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.

Stephen Mitchell (nearly identical to Gia-Fu Feng):

The tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal Name.

For beginners? I'd go for Stephen Mitchell.

[angieio]

I had seen the thread where you compared texts; thanks for repeating here. I have seen several books by Mitchell with high "scores" on BN. Thanks for the input!!!

(Wouldn't it be funny to try and find Tao for Dummies? Heehee...I'm gonna Google that...)

*Back from Googling* No such luck...