Tao Te Ching
easternchinese~600 BCE
Translation: James Legge (1891) (public-domain)
Overview
The Tao Te Ching (also written Daodejing, 'The Classic of the Way and Virtue') is the foundational text of Taoism, attributed to the sage Laozi (Lao Tzu). Composed of 81 brief, poetic chapters totaling approximately 5,000 Chinese characters, it is one of the most translated books in world literature. Its teachings on the ineffable Tao (Way), wu wei (non-action), simplicity, and the paradoxical nature of wisdom have influenced Chinese philosophy, religion, art, and governance for over two millennia.
Bible connections
- John 1:1-3 (Logos/Tao as creative principle)
- Proverbs 8:22-31 (personified Wisdom at creation)
- Ecclesiastes 1-3 (vanity, futility of striving)
- Matthew 18:3 (become like children)
- Matthew 6:28-29 (consider the lilies, non-striving)
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (power made perfect in weakness)
- Luke 1:52 (exalting the humble)
Key terms
Tao (Dao)– the Way; the ultimate, ineffable principle underlying all reality
Te (De)– virtue, power, or potency; the Tao's manifestation in individual things
wu wei– non-action or effortless action; acting in harmony with the natural flow
pu– the uncarved block; natural simplicity before social conditioning
ziran– naturalness, spontaneity; literally 'self-so'
Did you know?
The Tao Te Ching has been translated into English more than 250 times. The Chinese Union Version of the Bible translates 'Logos' in John 1:1 as 'Tao.'