Lao Tzu

Author profile

born

China

gender

male

genre

Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy

About this author

edit data

Lao Tzu (Chinese: 老子; pinyin: Lǎozǐ; Wade-Giles: Laosi; also Lao Tse, Lao Tu, Laozi, Lao-Tsu, Laotze, Laosi, Lao Zi, Laocius, and other variations) was a mystic philosopher of ancient China, best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching (often simply referred to as Laozi). His association with the Tao Te Ching has led him to be traditionally considered the founder of Taoism (pronounced as "Daoism"). He is also revered as a deity in most religious forms of the Taoist religion, which often refers to Laozi as Taishang Laojun, or "One of the Three Pure Ones". Lao Tzu translated literally from Chinese means "old master" or "old one", and is generally considered honorific.

According to Chinese tradition, Lao Tzu lived in the 6th century BCE. Histor...more

combine editions
Lao Tzu's Books

Average rating: 4.31 · 37,815 ratings · 1,574 reviews · 63 distinct works · Similar authors

	Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, Gia-Fu Feng (Translator), Jane English (Translator) 4.32 of 5 stars 4.32 avg rating — 37,652 ratings — published 1988 — 571 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Wen-Tzu by Lao Tzu, Thomas Cleary (Translator) 4.25 of 5 stars 4.25 avg rating — 87 ratings — published 1991 — 5 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Way and Its Power: Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching and Its Place in Chinese Thought 4.04 of 5 stars 4.04 avg rating — 72 ratings — published 1977 — 4 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Wisdom Of The Daoist Masters: The Works Of Lao Zi (Lao Tzu), Lie Zi (Lieh Tzu), Zhuang Zi by Lao Tzu, Lie zi, Leon Wieger 4.17 of 5 stars 4.17 avg rating — 18 ratings	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Laozi =The Sayings Of Lao Tzu 4.57 of 5 stars 4.57 avg rating — 14 ratings — published 1988 — 2 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Thoughts for the Free Life: Lao Tsu to the Present by Lao Tzu, Pablo Neruda, Robert Frost 4.36 of 5 stars 4.36 avg rating — 14 ratings — published 1997	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Chinese Classics Tao Te Ching 4.23 of 5 stars 4.23 avg rating — 13 ratings — published 1963	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Hua Hu Ching: The Unknown Teachings of Lao Tzu by Brian Walker, Lao Tzu 4.26 of 5 stars 4.26 avg rating — 150 ratings — published 1992 — 5 editions	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Essential Writings of Taoism: The Tao te Ching and the Chuang Tzu by Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, James Legge 4.4 of 5 stars 4.40 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 2009	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Rōshi 4.2 of 5 stars 4.20 avg rating — 5 ratings — expected publication 32767	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Lao Tzu…

Upcoming Events

No scheduled events. Add an event.

Quotes by Lao Tzu

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
― Lao Tzu

tags: courage, deeply-loved, love, strength, widely-misattributed

18,917 people liked it

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
― Lao Tzu

tags: travel

2,565 people liked it

“Simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.”
― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

tags: inspirational, life, philosophy

2,477 people liked it

See all Lao Tzu's quotes »

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
The Book Challenge: Samantha's 2008 Book Challenge	35	145	Dec 30, 2008 11:29pm
100+ Books in 2013: Meghan's 2009 List	119	653	Dec 29, 2009 11:41am
The Book Challenge: 'Variety Is The Spice Of Life' Challenge	64	642	Jan 14, 2010 06:58am
Challenge: 50 Books: Amanda's 50+ List for 2010	159	389	Jan 01, 2011 05:22am
Pick-a-Shelf: Must haves...	96	502	May 05, 2011 04:12pm
The History Book ...: TAOISM	3	63	Dec 27, 2012 02:34pm
Around the World ...: China	21	215	Feb 18, 2013 03:47pm
Goodreads Feedback: Is ingram import overwriting with WRONG info?	94	260	Feb 22, 2013 05:32pm

More…

Is this you? Let us know. If not, help out and invite Lao to Goodreads.