The Wisdom of the Dao De Ching

Abstract

Written over 2,500 years ago, The Dao De Jing is the seminal work of the Great Chinese Sage, Lao Tzu, and is one of the most profound pieces of prose ever written. Legend has it that at the age of 90 Lao Tzu migrated to the Himalayas, passing through the Imperial gates of Hang Gu on the Great Wall of China. On the orders of the Emperor, the keeper of the Gates refused to let Lao Tzu through. He was detained for three days, during which time he wrote the 81 verses of the Dao De Jing, offering the reader pathways to deeper understanding of the world and presenting a helpful code for everyday living. After the Bible, it is the most translated document in history. It has been observed that you can read the Dao De Jing in less than an hour, but study it for a lifetime! Two versions of the Dao De Jing are presented here: the second version being the author's attempt to edit the work and harmonize the prose