Laozi

Chuang Tzŭ

Chuang Tzŭ is a devoted follower and philosophical successor who frequently engages with Laozi's ideas, often expanding on them with playful parables.

Confucius

Confucius represents a contrasting ethical and political philosophy, and their interactions often highlight a fundamental ideological opposition.

Shang Ti

Laozi reinterprets Shang Ti (the Supreme Deity) as an impersonal, natural force, transforming a traditional religious figure into a philosophical concept.

Ssŭ - ma Chʽien

Ssŭ-ma Chʽien is the historian who records Laozi's biography, acting as a scholarly chronicler of his life and teachings.

Ho - shang Kung

Ho-shang Kung is a legendary commentator who wrote an influential early commentary on the Tao Te Ching, linking it to Daoist cultivation.

Mencius

Mencius, as a Confucian philosopher, is often contrasted with Laozi, representing a competing view on human nature and governance.

Han Fei

Han Fei, a Legalist philosopher, interprets Laozi's ideas to support authoritarian statecraft, adapting them for political theory.

Wang Pi

Wang Pi is a Neo-Daoist commentator who provides a metaphysical interpretation of Laozi's text, influencing later philosophical readings.

Huang Ti

Huang Ti (the Yellow Emperor) is mythologically linked to Laozi as a primordial sage, often used to lend ancient authority to Daoist ideas.

Abel - Rémusat

Abel-Rémusat was a pioneering French sinologist who translated and studied the Tao Te Ching, introducing it to European academia.

Ho - shang Kung

Ho-shang Kung is a legendary commentator who wrote an influential early commentary on the Tao Te Ching, linking it to Daoist cultivation.

Ssŭ - ma Chʽien

Ssŭ-ma Chʽien is the historian who records Laozi's biography, acting as a scholarly chronicler of his life and teachings.

Preface by James Legge

Author of the Tao Te Ching, central figure of Taoism.

Was Taoism Older Than Laozi?

Referred to as the acknowledged founder of Taoism, born in 604 BC, older than Confucius, and author of the Tao Te Ching.

The Texts of the Tao Te Ching and Chuang-Tzŭ Shu, as Regards Their Authenticity and Genuineness, and the Arrangement of Them

Attributed author of the Tao Te Ching; his biography and the circumstances of the book's composition are discussed.

What Is the Meaning of the Name Tao? And the Chief Points of the Belief in Taoism

Author of the Tao Te Ching; his teachings on the Tao, non-action, and the paradoxical nature of the Tao are central to the chapter.

Accounts of Laozi and Chuang-Tzŭ Given by Ssŭ-Ma Chʽien

Surname Li, name Êrh, later Tan; native of Chʽu; curator in the Royal Library; met Confucius in 517 BC; wrote the Tao Te Ching at the request of Yin Hsi; died unknown.

Tao Te Ching

Attributed author of the Tao Te Ching, whose teachings form the core of the chapter.

Chapter II

The author of the Tao Te Ching, whose teachings on the interplay of opposites and the sage's non-action are central to this chapter.

III

Author of the Tao Te Ching, presenting the sage's method of governance.

VII

Attributed author of the Tao Te Ching; the chapter's teachings reflect his philosophy.

XII

Author of the chapter's wisdom on sensory restraint and the sage's way.

XIII

The speaker of the chapter's teachings on favor, disgrace, and self-governance.

Chapter XV

Described as the source of the teaching on the ancient masters of the Tao, their subtle and elusive qualities.

Chapter XX

First-person voice of the chapter, describing his own detachment and contrast with ordinary people.

XXII

The sage described in the chapter who embodies humility and non-striving.

XXIII

The speaker of the chapter's wisdom, advocating for non-action and alignment with the Tao.

XXV

Attributed author of the Tao Te Ching, presenting the Tao as the primordial and ultimate principle.

Chapter XXVI

Attributed author of the Tao Te Ching, presenting the principle of gravity as the root of lightness and stillness as the ruler of movement.

Chapter XXVII

Implied as the source of the teaching on the sage's skillful, non-coercive action.

Chapter XXVIII

The speaker of the chapter, advocating for humility and the return to simplicity.

Chapter XXIX

Speaker of the chapter's wisdom on non-action and the folly of trying to possess the kingdom by force.

Chapter 30: The Tao of War

The speaker of the passage, advising against military aggression and advocating restraint.

XXXI

The speaker of the chapter's teachings on the Tao and the proper attitude toward arms and warfare.

XXXIII

Attributed author of the Tao Te Ching, presenting teachings on self-knowledge and inner strength.

XXXIV

The attributed author of the Tao Te Ching, whose teachings are reflected in this chapter.

Chapter XXXVIII

Author of the Tao Te Ching; this chapter presents his critique of conventional virtue and the hierarchy of decline from the Tao.

XLVII

The speaker of the chapter, advocating for inner knowledge over external seeking.

XLIX

Describes the sage's approach to governance and moral influence.

L

The speaker of the chapter, offering wisdom on life, death, and the art of living without fear.

LII

The speaker of the chapter, presenting the Tao as the mother of all under the sky.

LV

Author of the Tao Te Ching, presenting the metaphor of the infant as the embodiment of Taoist virtue.

LVII

The sage whose teachings are quoted, advocating non-action and stillness as the means to transform society.

LVIII

Implied author of the chapter's teachings on government and the sage's conduct.

LX

Attributed author of the Tao Te Ching, presenting the principle of governing a great state like cooking small fish.

LXIII

The sage described in this chapter embodies the Taoist ideal of effortless action and humility.

LXIV

The sage described in the chapter embodies Laozi's teachings on non-action and natural development.

LXV

Speaker of the chapter, advocating for simplicity and ignorance in governance.

LXVI

Author of the Tao Te Ching, presenting the ideal of the sage ruler.

LXVIII

The speaker of the chapter's verses, presenting the ideal of the sage who embodies non-contention and humility in warfare.

LXX

The speaker who reflects on the obscurity and undervaluation of his teachings.

LXXI

Attributed author of the Tao Te Ching, presenting the paradox of knowing and not knowing.

LXXII

Implied as the speaker of the wisdom in this chapter.

LXXIII

Attributed author of the Tao Te Ching; the chapter presents his teachings on boldness and the effortless efficacy of Heaven.

LXXV

Author of the Tao Te Ching; this chapter reflects his critique of heavy taxation and over-governance.

LXXVII

Speaker of the chapter's teachings on the Way of Heaven and the sage.

LXXVIII

Attributed author of the Tao Te Ching, presenting the paradox of softness overcoming hardness.

LXXIX

Author of the Tao Te Ching, presenting the sage's approach to reconciliation and the impartiality of Heaven.

LXXX

The speaker of the ideal state vision in this chapter.

LXXXI

The presumed author of the Tao Te Ching, presenting the culminating teachings on sincerity, non-disputation, and the sage's way.

Endnotes

Referenced as the author of the Tao Te Ching; his teachings are the subject of the endnotes.