The Tao Te Ching (UK: /ˌtaʊ tiː ˈtʃɪŋ/,[1] US: /ˌdaʊ dɛ ˈdʒɪŋ/;[2] simplified Chinese: 道德经; traditional Chinese: 道德經; pinyin: Dàodé Jīng [tâʊ tɤ̌ tɕíŋ] (
listen))[note 1] is a Chinese classic text written around 400 BC and traditionally credited to the sage Laozi,[7][8] though the text's authorship, date of composition and date of compilation are debated.[9] The oldest excavated portion dates back to the late 4th century BC,[10] but modern scholarship dates other parts of the text as having been written—or at least compiled—later than the earliest portions of the Zhuangzi.[11]
 Ink on silk manuscript of the Tao Te Ching, 2nd century BC, unearthed from Mawangdui | |
| Author | Laozi (traditionally credited) |
|---|---|
| Original title | 道德經 |
| Country | China (Zhou) |
| Language | Classical Chinese |
| Genre | Philosophy |
Publication date | 4th century BC |
Published in English | 1868 |
Original text | 道德經 at Chinese Wikisource |
| Translation | Tao Te Ching at Wikisource |
| Other names | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Laozi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese | 老子 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wade–Giles | Lao³ Tzŭ³ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hanyu Pinyin | Lǎozǐ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | "Old Master" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5000-Character Classic | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese | 五千文 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wade–Giles | Wu³ Ch'ien1 Wên² | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hanyu Pinyin | Wǔqiān Wén | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | "The 5000 Characters" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Part of a series on |
| Taoism |
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The Tao Te Ching, along with the Zhuangzi, is a fundamental text for both philosophical and religious Taoism. It also strongly influenced other schools of Chinese philosophy and religion, including Legalism, Confucianism, and Chinese Buddhism, which was largely interpreted through the use of Taoist words and concepts when it was originally introduced to China. Many artists, including poets, painters, calligraphers, and gardeners, have used the Tao Te Ching as a source of inspiration. Its influence has spread widely out and it is one of the most translated texts in world literature.[10]