
THE TAO TEH KING, - OR - THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
by Lao-Tse
PART 1.
PART II.
This timeless work opens with a series of paradoxical observations that challenge ordinary ways of naming and grasping reality. It invites listeners to contemplate a boundless principle that lies beyond desire and language, hinting at a subtle source that underlies both heaven and earth.
Through a cascade of short verses, the text explores how opposites such as beauty and ugliness, difficulty and ease, give rise to one another, illustrating a rhythm of natural balance. The sage described moves without force, speaks without words, and governs by emptying minds and filling bellies, offering a model of effortless leadership.
The listening experience unfolds like a gentle meditation, each line echoing the quiet power of water that nurtures without striving. By attuning to this ancient perspective, listeners may find a fresh way to approach daily challenges, relationships, and inner stillness.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (58K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Gregory Walker, and David Widger
Release date
Feb 1, 1995
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

A legendary sage of ancient China, Laozi is traditionally associated with the Dao De Jing, one of Taoism’s most influential works. His teachings on simplicity, harmony, and effortless action have shaped Chinese philosophy, religion, literature, and political thought for centuries.
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