About the author
Lao-Tzu is the semi-legendary figure traditionally credited with the Tao Te Ching, the foundational text of Taoism and, after the Bible, reportedly the most translated book in the world. Little is verifiable about his life, and many scholars question whether a single historical author produced the text as it survives; tradition places him in ancient China, roughly contemporary with Confucius. The catalogue includes several English translations of his short, aphoristic work, including a Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition rendered by a translator also known for versions of the I Ching and The Art of War, alongside Lao-Tzu's Taoteching from Copper Canyon Press and other editions from Frances Lincoln and Weiser Books. Across its roughly eighty-one brief chapters, the Tao Te Ching addresses living in accordance with the Tao, or the Way, through simplicity, humility, and non-contention, and remains a core reference point for Taoist thought and for readers of classical Chinese philosophy generally.
📖 Where to start with Lao-Tzu
💬 What our editors say about Lao-Tzu's books
“This volume offers a unique scholarly approach by combining the Tao-Te-Ching with summaries of related Taoist texts, revitalizing early 20th-century French scholarship. It stands as a vital resource for those interested in the…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Tao-Te-Ching: With Summaries of the Writings Attributed to Huai-Nan-Tzu, Kuan-Yin-Tzu and Tung-Ku-Ching (Revised)
“This Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition delivers Lao-tzu’s profound insights into balance and inner tranquility with elegant accessibility. The text effectively illuminates the concept of the Tao as a guide for mindful existence,…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Tao Te Ching: The Essential Translation of the Ancient Chinese Book of the Tao (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
“This edition stands out as a beautiful introduction to Taoist philosophy, largely due to Mitchell’s clear translation and the inclusion of traditional Chinese artistry. It successfully demystifies profound insights into the art…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Tao Te Ching
📋 Editions by Lao-Tzu in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tao-Te-Ching: With Summaries of the Writings Attributed to Huai- | — | Weiser Books | 128 | 9781578631230 |
| Tao Te Ching: The Essential Translation of the Ancient Chinese B | 2019 | Penguin Classics | 368 | 9780143133803 |
| Tao Te Ching | 2015 | Frances Lincoln | 96 | 9780711236493 |
| Lao-Tzu's Taoteching (Revised) | 2009 | Copper Canyon Press | 200 | 9781556592904 |
