Does the Stephen Mitchell is the best translation like so many pretend? Hard to say honestly. I read four so far, and probably will stop here, and I can say without a doubt that it is a truly good one! I still very much like the Le Guin one, it was my first so I feel loyal to it (I'm a madly loyal person for better or worse) and I think it is a very easy one to get into, but this one is definitely a good one. I love the Tao philosophy it speaks to me and help me greatly since I start study and putting it in practice (still a lot of work to do, but I'm improving). Don't bother that much with which translation is the best, fine a nice one at a price you can afford and read this book. Slowly. Take time to think about it and put in pratice. It will change your life!