Tao Te Ching: The Way

Summary

In eighty-one brief chapters, Lao-zi's Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, provides advice that imparts balance and perspective, a serene and generous spirit, and teaches us how to work for the good with the effortless skill that comes from being in accord with the Tao—the basic principle of the universe.

The Tao Te Ching, Daodejing, or Dao De Jing is a Chinese classic text. According to tradition, it was written around the 6th century BC by the sage Laozi (or Lao Tzu, "Old Master"), a record-keeper at the Zhou Dynasty court, by whose name the text is known in China. Laozi's work has been embraced by various anti-authoritarian movements as well as Chinese Legalism.

The text is fundamental to 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. Laozi’s words speak directly to the heart with simple, direct and profound wisdom addressing the core principles of the art of living well.