The author of China’s most famous philosophical work, the Tao Te Ching, is traditionally credited to the ancient Chinese sage Lao Tzu. According to traditional accounts, Lao Tzu lived in the 6th century BCE and was an official in the court of the Zhou dynasty. He is believed to have been a contemporary of Confucius and is sometimes referred to as the “father of Taoism.”
The title “Tao Te Ching” is a combination of two Chinese characters: “Tao” (or “Dao”) meaning “the Way” and “Ching” (or “Jing”) meaning “classic” or “scripture.” The Tao Te Ching consists of 81 short chapters that contain verses exploring philosophical ideas such as Yin and Yang, the nature of the Tao and the value of non-action, also known as wu wei.
The Tao Te Ching is an influential text, having been translated into more than 15 languages, making it one of the most translated books in the world after the Bible. It has been reprinted countless times throughout history and is valued as a classic of Chinese literature, having had a major influence on Chinese culture.
Although Lao Tzu is traditionally credited as the author of the Tao Te Ching, the exact identity or authorship of the work remains uncertain. There have been several theories put forward as to who the actual author of the work might have been, with some scholars suggesting that it is a composite work composed of several authors or even a whole school of thought.
Despite its uncertain authorship, the Tao Te Ching remains one of the most influential works of philosophy in the world and its influence continues to be felt throughout East Asian cultures today.