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Daodejing (Tao Te Ching). The Book of the Way and its Virtue

Laozi

Some five thousand characters in 81 short chapters, many in verse, divided into two parts: the Way (chs. 1–37) and Virtue (38–81). It sets out an unnameable Dao, prior to heaven and earth, which engenders everything without possessing it; it proposes to ruler and sage non-action (wuwei), spontaneity (ziran), the simplicity of the uncarved block and the strength of the soft, symbolised by water. Its tone shifts between mysticism, political strategy and critique of civilisation. It is, with the Bible, one of the most translated books in the world.

Start readingAbout the book

English

Translated by James Legge · 81 chapters · 1 h reading

  1. 111′
  2. 221′
  3. 331′
  4. 441′
  5. 551′
  6. 661′
  7. 771′
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  81. 81811′

French

Translated by Stanislas Julien · 23 chapters · 1 h reading

  1. 1 · 12′
  2. 2 · 22′
  3. 3 · 31′
  4. 4 · 42′
  5. 5 · 51′
  6. 6 · 62′
  7. 7 · 71′
  8. 8 · 82′
  9. 9 · 92′
  10. 10 · 102′
  11. 11 · 112′
  12. 12 · 122′
  13. 13 · 132′
  14. 14 · 142′
  15. 15 · 152′
  16. 16 · 162′
  17. 17 · 172′
  18. 18 · 182′
  19. 19 · 192′
  20. 20 · 202′
  21. 21 · 212′
  22. 22 · 222′
  23. 23 · 231′
Daodejing (Tao Te Ching). The Book of the Way and its Virtue by Laozi — full text · The Conscious Library