Laozi Quick Read -- The Great Wisdom of Life: The Great Wisdom of Life

Author: Yu Peilin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: The book here is one you must read at least once in your lifetime, whether you are ten, thirty, or seventy years old! A minimalist reading list of Chinese culture. From the vast collection of ancient classics, sixty works have been selected to present a comprehensive and engaging portrayal of Chinese culture over five thousand years in a relaxed and accessible format. Renowned scholars from Taiwan review classical texts with a 21st-century perspective, taking you on a journey through the "unfenced museum of Chinese culture." The Treasure Trove of Chinese Classics Through the Ages includes the original texts or excerpts, emphasizing the indispensability of the classics while guiding dedicated readers to progress from simple to profound.
Laozi, whose surname was Li and given name Er, styled Dan, was a person from the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period. He once served as the keeper of archives for the Zhou government and was asked by Confucius about the rites. The currently circulated Tao Te Ching is divided into two parts: the upper part begins with "The Way that can be told is not the eternal Way" and the lower part begins with "The highest virtue does not display virtue, hence it has virtue." Therefore, later generations combined the character "Dao" from the upper part and "De" from the lower part to name it the Tao Te Ching. Laozi's philosophy teaches that by embracing gentleness, one can remain humble, avoid contention, and live selflessly, following the natural order. By discarding the superficial and embracing the essence, one can reflect inward, ultimately returning to simplicity and purity.