Daodejing
Traditionally associated with Laozi; its formation and authorship remain subjects of scholarship.
Laozi
Daoist thought
The person behind the ideas
Laozi is the traditional author associated with the Daoist classic Daodejing, whose formation and authorship are debated.
Biography sources
Biography reference →At a glance
- Era
- Ancient China; life dates and authorship uncertain
- Notable works
- Daodejing
- Tradition
- Daoist thought
Ideas and outlook
The Daodejing invites attention to simplicity, restraint and action that does not force its way through everything. Laozi is its traditional associated author, not a figure whose life can be reconstructed with confidence.
About the works
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Other quotes across journeys
Enough for today
He who is satisfied with his lot is rich
Daodejing 33
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Daodejing 33 (excerpt)
This Daoist chapter distinguishes several forms of knowledge and strength; its account of richness concerns sufficiency, not income. The short excerpt is verbatim from James Legge's translation. Contentment does not require accepting deprivation or abandoning efforts to improve one's circumstances. The key phrase and reflection are contemporary Alrewaq writing.
Read the source ↗A moment of stillness
Let it be still
Daodejing 15
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Daodejing 15 (excerpt)
The referent is muddy water in a description of those practising the Dao; the chapter also considers rest arising through movement.
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Letting go gently
The highest excellence is like (that of) water.
Daodejing 8
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Daodejing 8 (opening sentence)
The chapter values water for benefiting things and occupying low places without contention; it concerns Daoist conduct.
Read the source ↗Meeting change
This returning to their root is what we call the state of stillness;
Tao Te Ching · ch. 16 · §1
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Tao Te Ching (Tao Teh King), chapter 16, paragraph 1
The chapter links the cycles of growing things with Daoist return and constancy. Its account of the Dao has its own philosophical setting.
Read the source ↗What remains
stillness, the ruler of movement.
Tao Te Ching · ch. 26 · §1
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Tao Te Ching (Tao Teh King), chapter 26, paragraph 1; excerpt
The chapter proceeds to counsel a ruler about gravity and steadiness. The excerpt is a political and philosophical image, not a clinical promise about becoming calm.
Read the source ↗The Stream
The highest excellence is like (that of) water.
Daodejing 8
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Daodejing 8
The chapter values water for benefiting things and occupying low places without contention; it concerns Daoist conduct.
Read the source ↗Across China
The highest excellence is like (that of) water.
Dao De Jing 8 · James Legge
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Dao De Jing 8 · James Legge
The parenthetical words belong to Legge’s translation. Chapter 8 develops water as an image of beneficial, non-contentious conduct. Traditional attribution does not establish single authorship.
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