Lao-Tzu
Ancient Chinese sage
Lao-Tzu is the legendary Chinese philosopher credited as the founder of Taoism and author of the *Tao Te Ching*, a foundational text of Eastern philosophy.
The name means "Old Master." Whether he was a historical figure or a composite of several thinkers remains debated.
Also spelled Laozi or Lao-Tse.
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
- mysticSeeker of sacred truth
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- teachingProfession of instructing others
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
aphorism · master · recluse · legendary · Confucius · Zhou · archivist · enlightenment
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
- aphorismTerse general truth
- teachingsTransmitted knowledge or principles
virtue · humility · detachment · stillness · contemplation · effortlessness · opposites · unity
Nameless cosmic principle
- yinFeminine cosmic force
- yangBright masculine cosmic force
- immortalityExemption from death
- emptinessAbsence of substance
naturalness · virtue · harmony · simplicity · softness · water · valley · spontaneity
Power to affect others
- ZenMeditative Buddhist school
- BuddhismEnlightenment-seeking Eastern religion
- countercultureRejection of mainstream values
- translationConverting between languages
commentary · interpretation · spirituality · meditation · mindfulness · Western · philosophy · perennial
Very old indeed
- HanChina's largest ethnicity
- classicalOf ancient Greece/Rome
- MandarinHigh-ranking government official
- scrollsRolled written records
calligraphy · silk · bamboo · court · librarian · historiographer
sage
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
- mysticSeeker of sacred truth
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- teachingProfession of instructing others
paradox · aphorism · master · recluse · legendary · Confucius · Zhou · archivist · enlightenment · contemplation
sage
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
teachings · virtue · humility · detachment · stillness · contemplation · effortlessness · opposites · unity · relativity
Tao
Nameless cosmic principle
- yinFeminine cosmic force
- yangBright masculine cosmic force
- immortalityExemption from death
emptiness · naturalness · virtue · harmony · simplicity · softness · water · valley · spontaneity · detachment
influence
Power to affect others
- ZenMeditative Buddhist school
- BuddhismEnlightenment-seeking Eastern religion
- countercultureRejection of mainstream values
translation · commentary · interpretation · spirituality · meditation · mindfulness · Western · philosophy · perennial · timeless
ancient
Very old indeed
scrolls · calligraphy · silk · bamboo · court · librarian · historiographer
ancient
Very old indeed
- archivistKeeper of historical documents
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
- ConfuciusAncient Chinese ethical teacher
chronicle · manuscript · scroll · classical · historiography
Lao-TzuMachiavelli
Political realism's founding theorist
Francis Bacon · Prometheus · Karl Marx · technocracy · Alexander the Great