Tao Te Ching

Author: (Spring and Autumn Period) Li Er
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-04-01
Features: The Tao Te Ching is an outstanding representative of Eastern culture and a precious legacy of Chinese philosophy. For over two thousand years, the brilliant thoughts in the Tao Te Ching have permeated the blood of the Chinese people, and its maxims and aphorisms have become widely quoted guidelines for action. Laozi is one of the philosophers most interested in by Westerners. Since the 16th century, Westerners have translated the Tao Te Ching into Latin, French, German, English, and other languages. According to Western scholars, since 1816, there have been over 250 Western-language editions of the Tao Te Ching, with one or two new translations published almost every year. The Tao Te Ching can purify our souls, elevate our cultivation, open our wisdom, and help us handle the relationship between humans and nature, as well as between humans and society. The four reasons to collect this book:
1. Historical Significance: The first monumental work in Chinese history to expound philosophical ideas in poetic language.
2. Unique Linguistic Charm: Every word is a pearl, every sentence profound, all revealing true wisdom and secrets.
3. Life Classic: Opens wisdom, elevates cultivation, promotes harmony between humans and nature.
4. Worldly Acclaim: The most translated world cultural classic after the Bible, with over 250 Western-language editions.
Laozi, surnamed Li, named Er, styled Dan. The Tao Te Ching is also known as the True Classic of the Tao and Virtue or simply the Tao Te Ching. It is divided into two parts: the upper part, known as the Tao Jing, begins with "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; The name that can be named is not the eternal name," and consists of 37 chapters. The lower part, known as the De Jing, starts with "The highest virtue does not display virtue, hence it has virtue; The lowest virtue does not lose virtue, hence it has no virtue," and comprises 44 chapters. The entire book has 81 chapters, totaling approximately 5,000 characters.
The Tao Jing explains the fundamental principles of the universe and reveals the mysteries of the changes in heaven and earth. The De Jing discusses the strategies for living in society. The Tao Te Ching is not only a philosophical classic but also, due to its concise language and strong rhythm, is also regarded as a special form of poetry.