A Chapter for You · Chapter 1
Tao Te Ching: 81 Chapters with AI Translation and Laozi Chat
道可道，非常道；名可名，非常名。
无名天地之始，有名万物之母。
故常无欲，以观其妙；常有欲，以观其徼。
此两者同出而异名，同谓之玄。玄之又玄，众妙之门。
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. Nameless is the origin of heaven and earth. Named is the mother of ten thousand things. Ever desireless, one can see the mystery. Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations. These two spring from the same source but differ in name; this appears as darkness. Darkness within darkness. The gate to all mystery.
—— 老子《道德经》The Tao That Can Be Told
Read this chapter →Who Was Laotzu?
Laotzu (Lao Tzu, Laozi, 老子, c. 6th–5th century BCE) is the legendary founder of Taoism and the author of the Tao Te Ching — with more than 250 translations, the most translated book after the Bible. Legend says he wrote its 81 chapters in one sitting at the Hangu Pass, on his way out of a decaying kingdom, leaving five thousand characters of wisdom to a gatekeeper named Yinxi. Read the full story of Laotzu →
Famous Lao Tzu Quotes, Explained
"The highest good is like water. Water benefits all things without competing, settles where people disdain, thus it is close to the Tao."
"Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power."
"A journey of a thousand miles begins beneath your feet."
Explore 21 of the best Lao Tzu quotes, grouped by theme and explained — on wu wei, water, humility, leadership, and knowing yourself.
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