The Book Of Ethics

By Lao Tzu

Do you want to enrich your everyday life but aren't sure what to do? Then this is a perfect book for you!

The Book Of Ethics is an indispensable resource and is for those who seek insights for peace, harmony, balance, and s

• Language: English
• Publisher: DigiNetStor LLC
• Release date: Aug 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781954891289

Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu is the reputed founder of Taoism, but there is little evidence that he actually existed. He is said to have been a contemporary of Confucius and to have served as curator of the dynastic archives until retiring to the mythical K’un-lun mountains.

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THE BOOK OF ETHICS

道 德 经

(TAO TE CHING)

The Original Art Of Living Inner Strength

Lao Tzu

老 子

Translated by

Tham Trong Ma

All rights reserved

First Edition

© Tham Trong Ma, 2022

No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by means of electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission from the author.

Contents

A Few Words 7

About Lao Tzu 13

Part I : The Way 道 17

Chapter 1 to Chapter 37

Part II : The Virtue 德 55

Chapter 38 to Chapter 81

Notes 101

Further Readings 113

A Few Words

If a man writes a book, let him set down only what he knows. I have guesses enough of my own.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – German poet, novelist, playwright, and philosopher

This book should not be considered a book of ideas or one giving the difference between the forces of good or evil or the distinction between right and wrong. However, while it may touch on these subjects, those are not the foundation upon which this book is written. This should be considered a book of timeless principles that have been practiced for thousands of years. A personal study has been done on the principles inherent in this book, and the result has been outstanding. But it should also be known that as much as this book is generally available for everyone who wants to read it, it is not meant for everyone. Some may find problems understanding the concepts explained within the pages or the nuggets of wisdom that may be hidden to a layman due to writing style. To enjoy this book and the treasure within, one must bare their minds and give a critical view to the words, for the words are not just made up. Every line has a purpose.

This book is divided into two parts: the Way and the Virtue. While these two elements may seem mutually exclusive, to some extent, they are also similar. And this book is here to offer insights into them.

Some scholars have considered Tao Te Ching (The Book of Ethics) to be a compilation of various sayings; even the text authorship, date of compilation, and date of composition have been greatly debated. These subjects are still being debated even today. Researchers are working tirelessly to gather the facts, but this mystery might continue for many generations to come. However, there is no doubt that the book – or a major part of it, as the case may be – is hugely credited to Lao Tzu. And until a different fact emerges about the true authorship of The Book of Ethics, Lao Tzu will continue to be known as the original author, which is most probably the truth anyway.

The oldest version of the book was dated as far back as the 4th century BC, when it was reported to have been excavated. However, some other dates emerged concerning the historical appearance of the book. Some have claimed that some parts of the text have been compiled later than the earliest portion of the Zhuangzi. A controversial manuscript about the Tao Te Ching inked on silk, which was reported to have been written in the 2nd century BC, has also been unearthed from Mawangdui.

The Book of Ethics is regarded as a fundamental text for philosophical and religious Taoism; indeed, it has strongly influenced other Chinese philosophy and religion schools. It also has a great influence on Legalism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The