# Herbert A. Giles — Tao Te Ching character guide

> Herbert A. Giles in Tao Te Ching by Laozi.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Mr. Herbert A. Giles, Mr. Giles, Giles, Mr. H. A. Giles

**First appearance:** 0005-tao-te-ching

## Who they are

British sinologist and translator of Chinese philosophical texts.

## In the story

### [Preface by James Legge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/chapters/preface-by-james-legge)

Scholar who judged the Lü Yen commentary as spurious and ridiculous.

### [The Texts of the Tao Te Ching and Chuang-Tzŭ Shu, as Regards Their Authenticity and Genuineness, and the Arrangement of Them](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/chapters/the-texts-of-the-tao-te-ching-and-chuang-tz-shu-as-regards-their-authenticity-and-genuineness-and-the-arrangement-of-them)

Modern scholar who questioned the authenticity of the Tao Te Ching; his views are referenced as a point of controversy.

### [What Is the Meaning of the Name Tao? And the Chief Points of the Belief in Taoism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/chapters/what-is-the-meaning-of-the-name-tao-and-the-chief-points-of-the-belief-in-taoism)

Criticized for translating 'Tʽien' as 'God' in his version of Chuang-tzŭ, which the author argues misrepresents Taoist thought.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/giles
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters