Author |
Laozi |
Translator |
Legge, James, 1815-1897 |
Title |
The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its Characteristics
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Alternate Title |
Tao Te Ching
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Note |
Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao_Te_Ching
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Note |
Reading ease score: 75.7 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
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Credits |
Produced by Gregory Walker, and David Widger
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Summary |
"The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its Characteristics" by Laozi is a foundational text of Daoism (Taoism) written during the late 6th century BCE. This philosophical work elaborates on the concept of the Tao, which represents the fundamental nature and source of the universe, and explores the virtues associated with following it. It serves as both a guide to personal conduct and a commentary on governance, offering insights into living in harmony with the natural order. In this book, Laozi presents the Tao as an ineffable force that underlies and connects all aspects of existence, advocating for simplicity, humility, and non-action as guiding principles for both individuals and rulers. The text is divided into 81 chapters, each containing poetic verses that articulate the paradoxical wisdom of the Tao. Key themes include the importance of yielding over rigid strength, the power of quietude, and the idea that true leadership comes from embracing simplicity and selflessness. Through evocative language and imagery, Laozi encourages readers to find balance within themselves and with the world around them, suggesting that the path to wisdom lies in understanding and aligning with the Tao. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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Language |
English |
LoC Class |
BL: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Religion: General, Miscellaneous and Atheism
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Subject |
Philosophy, Chinese
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Subject |
Taoism -- Sacred books
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Category |
Text |
EBook-No. |
216 |
Release Date |
Feb 1, 1995 |
Most Recently Updated |
May 11, 2015 |
Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
Downloads |
1047 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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