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.

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(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

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