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    The Tao Te Ching
    The Tao Te Ching
    The Tao Te Ching
    Ebook50 pages31 minutes

    The Tao Te Ching

    By Lao Tzu

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    About this ebook

    The Tao Te Ching, Daodejing, or Dao De Jing, also simply referred to as the Laozi is a Chinese classic text. According to tradition, it was written around 6th century BC by the sage Laozi or Lao Tzu - literally meaning "Old Master", a record-keeper at the Zhou dynasty court, by whose name the text is known in China. The text's true authorship and date of composition or compilation are still debated, although the oldest excavated text dates back to the late 4th century BC.

    The text, along with the Zhuangzi, is a fundamental text for both philosophical and religious Taoism, and strongly influenced other schools, such as Legalism, Confucianism and Chinese Buddhism, which when first introduced into China was largely interpreted through the use of Daoist words and concepts. Many Chinese artists, including poets, painters, calligraphers, and even gardeners, have used the Daodejing as a source of inspiration. Its influence has also spread widely outside East Asia, and is amongst the most translated works in world literature.

    The Wade–Giles romanization "Tao Te Ching" dates back to early English transliterations in the late 19th century; its influence can be seen in words and phrases that have become well established in English. "Daodejing" is the pinyin romanization.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPergamonMedia
    Release dateApr 7, 2015
    ISBN9783956702532
    Author

    Lao Tzu

    Lao Tzu is the reputed founder of Taoism, but there is little evidence that he actually existed. He is said to have been a contemporary of Confucius and to have served as curator of the dynastic archives until retiring to the mythical K’un-lun mountains.

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      Book preview

      The Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu

      Inhaltsverzeichnis

      Tao Te Ching

      THE TAO TEH Ching,

      THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS

      PART 1.

      PART II.

      Tao Te Ching

      THE TAO TEH Ching,

      OR

      THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS

      by Lao-Tse

      Translated by James Legge

      Contents

      PART 1.

      Ch. 1. 1. The Tao that can be trodden is not the enduring and unchanging Tao. The name that can be named is not the enduring and unchanging name.

      2. (Conceived of as) having no name, it is the Originator of heaven and earth; (conceived of as) having a name, it is the Mother of all things.

      3.

      Always without desire we must be found,

      If its deep mystery we would sound;

      But if desire always within us be,

      Its outer fringe is all that we shall see.

      4. Under these two aspects, it is really the same; but as development takes place, it receives the different names. Together we call them the Mystery. Where the Mystery is the deepest is the gate of all that is subtle and wonderful.

      2. 1. All in the world know the beauty of the beautiful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what ugliness is; they all know the skill of the skilful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what the want of skill is.

      2. So it is that existence and non-existence give birth the one to (the idea of) the other; that difficulty and ease produce the one (the idea of) the other; that length and shortness fashion out the one the figure of the other; that (the ideas of) height and lowness arise from the contrast of the one with the other; that the musical notes and tones become harmonious through the relation of one with another; and that being before and behind give the idea of one following another.

      3. Therefore the sage manages affairs without doing anything, and conveys his instructions without the use of speech.

      4. All things spring up, and there is not one which declines to show itself; they grow, and there is no claim made for their ownership; they go through their processes, and there is no expectation (of a reward for the results). The work is accomplished, and there is no resting in it (as an achievement).

      The work is done, but how no one can see;

      'Tis this that makes the power not cease to be.

      3. 1. Not to value and employ men of superior ability is the way to keep the people from rivalry among themselves; not to prize articles which are difficult to procure is the way to keep them from becoming thieves; not to show them what is likely to excite their desires is the way to keep their minds from disorder.

      2. Therefore the sage, in the exercise of his government, empties their minds, fills their bellies, weakens their wills, and strengthens their bones.

      3. He constantly (tries to) keep them without knowledge and without desire, and where there are those who have knowledge, to keep them from presuming to act (on it). When there is this abstinence from action, good order is

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