Lao Tzu's timeless classic comes to life in this vibrant, relevant, contemporary English translation. The Tao Te Ching is a book of Chinese philosophical poetry written about 2,500 years ago. Yet for all of its antiquity, it speaks directly and powerfully to the struggles and demands of our contemporary lives. What is our source? What is our true nature? How can we restore sanity, humanity, and rest to our busy, aggressive, cut-throat culture? These are the kinds of questions the Tao Te Ching asks—and answers. This is an original translation from the ancient Chinese text specifically intended to accurately reflect the original text while at the same time being easy to read and understand in English. Translator John R. Mabry is a professor of World Religions and comparative theology. He holds a doctorate in Philosophy and Religion and worked closely with a native Chinese speaker and expert in traditional Chinese religion in order to provide the most readable and reliable version available anywhere.