This unique edition of the Tao Te Ching features:the first comprehensive verbatim translation of the entire text of the Tao Te Ching;literal character definitions that allow the reader to create his or her own interpretation;a concordance section that enables the reader to track the different ways a single character is used throughout the work;grammatical and interpretive notes on individual terms and verses; * a unique commentary on the first verse, which represents a complete spiritual teaching in itself; anda literary translation of the Tao Te Ching that can be read on its own or compared with the verbatim translation.