No understanding of Chinese civilization is possible without a grasp of Taoism, the philosophy that shaped not just Chinese spirituality but also art, science, and politics. And it was in the Tao Te Ching, written around 300 BC, that the fundamental beliefs of Taoism were first gathered. In a compellingly simple rhetorical style, this short, wise, and extremely influential book addresses how to live a peaceful and harmonious life; rid oneself of desires; and free society of institutions that promote greed. This exquisite dual-language edition--which includes all 81 chapters--presents the original Chinese characters with a new translation on the facing page, as well as editorial notes and a new introduction that explores the questioned authorship of the text.