The Tao Te Ching: Recitation of Chapters 1-81 This episode, read by Eric S. Piotrowski and recorded on January 13, 2006, from Madison, Wisconsin, presents a reading of the Tao Te Ching, an ancient Chinese text attributed to Laozi, translated by James Legge. The chapters, from 1 through 81, cover various profound philosophical ideas surrounding the nature of the Tao (the Way), contrast, wisdom, leadership, and the nuances of harmonious living. The text explores the essence of Taoism, emphasizing simplicity, humility, and contentment, and offers poetry-like verses that provide ethical guidance and insights into human behavior and cosmic balance. This is a LibriVox recording and is under the Public Domain. (00:00) Introduction and Opening Credits (00:30) The Nature of the Dao (01:31) Contrasts and Paradoxes (03:11) Governance and Simplicity (04:15) The Emptiness of the Dao 05:07 The Sage's Way 06:56 The Power of Water 08:06 The Value of Humility 10:06 The Mysterious Dao 15:40 The Unchanging Rule 17:07 The Role of the Ruler 17:52 The Decline of the Dao 18:39 Renouncing Wisdom 21:03 The Grandness of the Dao 23:21 The Power of Non-Action 25:24 The Greatness of the Dao 27:30 The Skillful Sage 28:52 The Nature of the Dao 31:14 The Futility of Force 32:36 The Eternal Dao 35:23 The Value of Simplicity 39:38 The Attributes of the Dao 41:54 The One Dao 43:54 The Movement of the Dao 44:26 Scholars and the Dao 44:51 The Essence of the Dao 45:46 The Paradox of Virtue 46:02 The Cycle of Creation 47:12 The Power of Softness 47:47 The Value of Contentment 48:38 The Nature of Achievement 49:05 The Wisdom of Non-Action 01:00:31 The Way of Moderation 01:02:41 The Sage's Mind 01:03:37 The Art of War and Peace 01:04:56 The Mysterious Operation of the Dao 01:06:16 The Mother of All Things 01:07:10 The Secret of Clear Sightedness 01:07:43 The Great Dao and Its Simplicity 01:10:17 The Power of Gentleness 01:11:54 The Paradox of Water 01:12:53 The Way of Heaven 01:14:23 The Wisdom of the Sage 01:15:33 The Nature of Life and Death 01:16:45 The Balance of Heaven and Earth 01:18:46 The Soft Overcomes the Hard 01:20:13 The Sage's Reconciliation 01:21:54 The Ideal State 01:31:30 The Final Words of Wisdom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices