Taoist

Taoism is not a religion. To the Taoist, gods and the afterlife are vague, almost non-existent. Taoism is all about here and now: the philosophy of how to live a pleasant life, without causing unnecessary commotion or distress. Tao, the Way, is a kind of natural law behind all of creation. The one who can harmonize with it will be at peace with existence.

Tao Te Ching

The major source to Taoist philosophy is the Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing), written by the legendary Lao Tzu (Lao Zi) - somewhere between the 7th and the 4th century BC in China. I made a Swedish translation of it (see here) in 1991, and in 2011 I completed one in English, where I explain each chapter from a perspective also relevant in our modern life. The old Taoist philosophy classic still has a lot to teach us.

The complete text of my Tao Te Ching book is online on this website:

Tao Te Ching: Each chapter explained

Tao Te Ching Chapter 1 versions

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 1 in the Chinese Wang Bi version.

Already by the first chapter of Tao Te Ching, the Taoist philosophy classic, the style of its interpretor or translator is quite clear. In 2004, I vacuumed the internet and my own library for versions of Tao Te Ching's Chapter 1. I found 75, from well-renowned sinologists to happy amateurs. Now I have also added my own version. The vagueness of the original text allows for very different interpretations, as you can see in the collection below.

76 versions of Tao Te Ching Chapter 1

James Legge's Tao Te Ching

James Legge (1815-1897), Scottish sinologist. Painting by James Elder Christie.

Have a look at the below translation of the Tao Te Ching, the Taoist philosophy classic, made by the Scottish sinologist James Legge (1815-97) in 1891. It is a splendid version, surpassing many of later dates - although the recent archaeological findings of Tao Te Ching manuscripts in Ma Wang Tui and Guodian were unknown to him.

Tao Te Ching, James Legge's version

Aleister Crowley's Tao Te Ching

Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), English occultist. Photo from 1906.

The English magician and occultist Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) made his own version of the Tao Te Ching in 1923. It is a very interesting and surprisingly clear version of the Taoist philosophy classic - worth reading also for those who have no interest in the occult.

Tao Te Ching, Aleister Crowley's version

Chuang Tzu

Chuang Tzu (4th century BC), Taoist philosopher.

Next to Lao Tzu, the legendary writer of Tao Te Ching, Chuang Tzu (Zhuang Zi) is the most famous of the Chinese Taoist philosophers. He lived in the 4th century BC. According to tradition, he wrote the first seven chapters, called the 'inner' chapters, of the book given his name. His Taoist students are said to have written the remaining 'outer' chapters.

Below is the complete James Legge translation of the Chuang Tzu Taoist texts, published in 1891, divided into the 33 chapters. You can read them in any order, since they are not connected in a consecutive way.

Chuang Tzu Taoism