Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Traditionally attributed to Lao Tzu, an older contemporary of Confucius (551 - 479 BC), it is now thought that the work was compiled in about the fourth century BC. An anthology of wise sayings, it offers a model by which the individual can live rather than explaining the human place in the universe. The moral code it encourages is based on modesty and self-restraint, and the rewards reaped for such a life are harmony and flow of life.
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Synopsis
'Have little thought of self and as few desires as possible'
Whether or not Lao Tzu was a historical figure is uncertain, but the wisdom gathered under his name in the fourth century BC is central to the understanding and practice of Taoism. One of the three great religions of China, Taoism is based upon a concept of the Tao, or Way, as the universal power through which all life flows. The Tao Te Ching offers a practical model by which both the individual and society can embody this belief, encouraging modesty and self-restraint as the true path to a harmonious and balanced existence.
Translated with an Introduction by D. C. Lau
Table of Contents
Lao Tzu Introduction LAO TZU Book One Book Two List of Passages for Comparison Appendices: 1. The Problem of Authorship 2. The Nature of the Work Chronological Table Glossary Notes |