Tao Te Ching
上德不德，是以有德；下德不失德，是以无德。上德无为，而无以为；下德为之，而有以为。上仁为之，而无以为；上义为之，而有以为。上礼为之，而莫之应，则攘臂而仍之。故失道而后德，失德而后仁，失仁而后义，失义而后礼。夫礼者，忠信之薄，而乱之首。前识者，道之华。而愚之始。是以大丈夫处其厚，不处居其薄；处其实，不处其华，故去彼取此。
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Chapters
Book Details
81
Chapters
5,000
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6th C.
BCE
The Tao Te Ching is a Chinese classic text traditionally credited to the 6th-century BC sage Laozi. The text's authorship, date of composition and date of compilation are debated. The Tao Te Ching is fundamental to the Philosophical Taoism and strongly influenced other schools, such as Legalism and Neo-Confucianism.