What you should know before reading the Dao De Jing?

For new readers of the Dao De Jing, there are two essential points to understand beforehand.

Beyond Taoist Frameworks

First, beginners should not approach the Dao De Jing from a Taoist perspective.

The book’s author, Laozi, was not a Taoist figure. While later generations posthumously honored him as the founder of Taoism, Laozi himself existed before such philosophical divisions emerged. Similarly, Confucius was not a “Confucian” in his lifetime.

Early Chinese culture was unified, and distinctions between schools of thought only arose during the Warring States period. Prior to this, intellectual exchange remained fluid—Confucius even sought Laozi’s advice on scholarly matters, as recorded in Sima Qian’s Records of the Grand Historian. Both philosophers shared common cultural roots and often discussed overlapping concepts like the Dao, making it reductive to view the Dao De Jing through a narrowly Taoist lens.

The Collective Wisdom of Antiquity

Second, the Dao De Jing does not originate solely from Laozi’s invention.

Instead, it explicates ancient cultural traditions passed down through generations. Both Laozi and Confucius drew from this shared heritage, adapting and expounding it in their distinct ways. This explains the many parallels in their works despite their differing emphases.

Key historical context

• During the Spring and Autumn period, the Zhou emperor’s authority weakened, leading to political fragmentation.
• The subsequent Warring States era intensified chaos, prompting diverse philosophical responses to restore order.
• Intellectual unity dissolved as thinkers proposed competing visions for governance and societal harmony.

About the author

Laozi (approximately 571-470 BC), traditionally regarded as the author of the Dao De Jing, is a semi-legendary figure in Chinese history. Little is known about his life, but he is often described as a scholar and archivist for the Zhou dynasty court. His name, meaning “Old Master,” reflects his revered status as a sage.

He composed the Dao De Jing, a foundational text of Chinese philosophy, which explores the concept of the Dao – the natural order governing the universe, and De (virtue) – the harmonious alignment with this principle.

His philosophy emphasizes wuwei (effortless action), simplicity, humility, and the dangers of excessive human intervention.

Thus, the Dao De Jing should be read as a pure classic of traditional culture rather than a sectarian text. Imposing later philosophical frameworks risks distorting its original intent.