Chapter 1
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 1
Chapter 1 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
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Tao Te Ching
Attributed to the sage Laozi and composed in the 6th century BCE, the Tao Te Ching is a cornerstone of Chinese philosophical thought and a masterwork of distilled wisdom. Its eighty-one short chapters explore the nature of power, the value of stillness, the danger of overreaching, and the art of leading without dominating. James Legge's 1893 translation brings clarity and fidelity to this influential text, making it accessible to modern readers seeking practical insight into strategy, leadership, and personal agency.
Chapter 2
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 2
Chapter 2 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 3
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 3
Chapter 3 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 4
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 4
Chapter 4 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 5
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 5
Chapter 5 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 6
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 6
Chapter 6 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 7
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 7
Chapter 7 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 8
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 8
Chapter 8 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 9
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 9
Chapter 9 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 10
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 10
Chapter 10 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 11
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 11
Chapter 11 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 12
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 12
Chapter 12 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 13
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 13
Chapter 13 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 14
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 14
Chapter 14 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 15
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 15
Chapter 15 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 16
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 16
Chapter 16 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 17
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 17
Chapter 17 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 18
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 18
Chapter 18 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 19
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 19
Chapter 19 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 20
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 20
Chapter 20 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 21
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 21
Chapter 21 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 22
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 22
Chapter 22 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 23
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 23
Chapter 23 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 24
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 24
Chapter 24 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 25
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 25
Chapter 25 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 26
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 26
Chapter 26 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 27
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 27
Chapter 27 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 28
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 28
Chapter 28 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 29
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 29
Chapter 29 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 30
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 30
Chapter 30 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 31
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 31
Chapter 31 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 32
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 32
Chapter 32 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 33
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 33
Chapter 33 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 34
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 34
Chapter 34 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 35
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 35
Chapter 35 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 36
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 36
Chapter 36 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 37
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 37
Chapter 37 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 38
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 38
Chapter 38 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 39
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 39
Chapter 39 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 40
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 40
Chapter 40 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 41
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 41
Chapter 41 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 42
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 42
Chapter 42 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 43
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 43
Chapter 43 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 44
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 44
Chapter 44 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 45
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 45
Chapter 45 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 46
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 46
Chapter 46 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 47
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 47
Chapter 47 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 48
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 48
Chapter 48 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 49
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 49
Chapter 49 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 50
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 50
Chapter 50 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 51
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 51
Chapter 51 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 52
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 52
Chapter 52 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 53
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 53
Chapter 53 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 54
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 54
Chapter 54 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 55
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 55
Chapter 55 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 56
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 56
Chapter 56 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 57
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 57
Chapter 57 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 58
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 58
Chapter 58 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 59
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 59
Chapter 59 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 60
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 60
Chapter 60 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 61
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 61
Chapter 61 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 62
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 62
Chapter 62 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 63
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 63
Chapter 63 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 64
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 64
Chapter 64 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 65
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 65
Chapter 65 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 66
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 66
Chapter 66 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 67
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 67
Chapter 67 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 68
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 68
Chapter 68 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 69
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 69
Chapter 69 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 70
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 70
Chapter 70 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 71
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 71
Chapter 71 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 72
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 72
Chapter 72 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 73
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 73
Chapter 73 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 74
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 74
Chapter 74 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 75
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 75
Chapter 75 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 76
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 76
Chapter 76 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 77
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 77
Chapter 77 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 78
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 78
Chapter 78 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 79
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 79
Chapter 79 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 80
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 80
Chapter 80 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Read chapterChapter 81
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 81
Chapter 81 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
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