Tao Te Ching
- Language:
- English
- Status:
- Complete work
- Authorship:
- Attributed (authorship debated)
- Condition of the text:
- No scanning noise detected (automatic measure over the whole text, not checked by hand)
- Extent:
- ~10,500 words · 50 passages
Cite this work
- APALaozi. (n.d.). The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its Characteristics [Tao Te Ching]. Digital reproduction: SigPhi. https://sigphiai.com/en/works/laozi/the-tao-teh-king-or-the-tao-and-its-characteristics
- MLALaozi. The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its Characteristics [Tao Te Ching]. Digital reproduction, SigPhi, https://sigphiai.com/en/works/laozi/the-tao-teh-king-or-the-tao-and-its-characteristics.
- ChicagoLaozi. The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its Characteristics [Tao Te Ching]. Digital reproduction, SigPhi. https://sigphiai.com/en/works/laozi/the-tao-teh-king-or-the-tao-and-its-characteristics.
Reference to the edition that SigPhi reproduces: SigPhi is its digital reproduction, not its publisher. The edition's year is not in the metadata (hence "n.d."), and the translator appears only when recorded.
What it is about
Eighty-one brief poems on the Tao, the way that cannot be named: governing without forcing, acting without doing (wu wei), and the paradoxical strength of the soft — water wearing down stone.
Context and history
Tradition ascribes it to Laozi, an archivist of the Zhou court in the sixth century BC who, disillusioned, departed westward and left the book with the keeper of the frontier pass. Modern scholars see rather a compilation of the fourth to third centuries BC. At some five thousand characters, it is the foundation of philosophical and religious Taoism, and one of the most translated books in history — its enigmatic brevity has made a thousand readings possible, from mysticism to the art of ruling.
Editorial context, not a citable source: unlike the passages of the work itself, these statements cannot be checked against the corpus.
2. How irresolute did those (earliest rulers) appear, showing (by their reticence) the importance which they set upon their words! Their work was done and their undertakings were successful, while the people all said, 'We are as we are, of ourselves!' 18. 1. When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue. (Then) appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy. 2. When harmony no longer prevailed throughout the six kinships, filial sons found their manifestation; when the states and clans fell into disorder, loyal ministers appeared. 19. 1. If we could renounce our sageness and discard our wisdom, it would be better for the people a hundredfold. If we could renounce our benevolence and discard our righteousness, the people would again become filial and kindly. If we could renounce our artful contrivances and discard our (scheming for) gain, there would be no thieves nor robbers. 2. Those three methods (of government) Thought olden ways in elegance did fail And made these names their want of worth to veil; But simple views, and courses plain and true Would selfish ends and many lusts eschew. 20. 1. When we renounce learning we have no troubles. The (ready) 'yes,' and (flattering) 'yea;'-- Small is the difference they display. But mark their issues, good and ill;-- What space the gulf between shall fill? What all men fear is indeed to be feared; but how wide and without end is the range of questions (asking to be discussed)! 2. The multitude of men look satisfied and pleased; as if enjoying a full banquet, as if mounted on a tower in spring. I alone seem listless and still, my desires having as yet given no indication of their presence.…