The Originals: Tao Te Ching - Om Books

The sage does not accumulate (for himself). the more that he expends for others, The more does he possess of his own; The more that he gives to others, The more does he have himself. Written over 2000 years ago, Tao Te Ching, that roughly translates to “the way of integrity,” remains one of the most translated philosophical books in the world. A series of aphorisms and parables, this central text of Taoism, believed to have been written by its founder, Lao Tzu, invites the reader to follow the Tao or the way, through sound political advice, and the practice of peace, humility, modesty, morality, generosity, virtue, self-knowledge, self-restraint, and balance in order to exist in harmony with the universe. To date, Tao Te Ching remains a relevant guide in many spheres of life for its practical, simple and grassroots wisdom.

Lao Tzu, meaning “Old Master,” was a Chinese philosopher, who was believed to be an older contemporary of Confucius, and the founder of Taoism, one of the three great religious and philosophical traditions of China. A record keeper in the court of Zhou in the 6th century b.c., Lao Tzu has been credited as the author of Tao Te Ching, though the identity of this seminal Taoist treatise’s author(s) or compiler(s) is still widely debated. In the tradition of most ancient Chinese philosophers, Lao Tzu often takes recourse to paradox, analogy, repetition, symmetry, rhyme, rhythm, and appropriation of ancient sayings, to explain his ideas. James Legge (1815-1897) was a Scottish sinologist, scholar and missionary, who translated Classical Chinese texts into English. He served as a representative of the London Missionary Society in Malacca and Hong Kong (1840-1873) and was the first Professor of Chinese at Oxford University (1876-1897). In association with Max Müller, he prepared the monumental Sacred Books of the East series, published in 50 volumes between 1879 and 1891.