The Tao Te Ching (pronounced Dao De Jing), traditionally credited to the 6th-century BC sage Lao Tzu is a Chinese masterpiece, and is one of the world's most revered sources of spiritual wisdom. The text's authorship, date of composition and date of compilation are debated. The oldest excavated portion dates back to the late 4th century BC, but modern scholarship dates other parts of the text as having been written—or at least compiled—later than the earliest portions of the Zhuangzi. This ancient classic presents timeless spiritual meditations on wisdom in action, illustrating important lessons that have resonated with its students for centuries.