Menu

William Dolby

Classical Chinese Translations and Research

header photo

10. Sir Old, the Chinese Classic of Taoism

Book Details

The date of Bill's first translation of this work are currently unknown but it was re-edited and compiled into his final self-published, paper-backed edition in 2003. This work represents the 10th of 33 of the Chinese Culture Series.

A new edition was published in 2019.

  • Paperback: 217 pages
  • Publisher: Independently published (10 May 2019)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1097721914
  • ISBN-13: 978-1097721917
  • Product Dimensions: 15.2 x 1.2 x 22.9 cm

Please contact us on availablity of this work

Sir Old (Lao-tzu), also known as Cosmic law and its latent powers (Tao-te ching) is a Chinese book said to have been written in the sixth century BC by a certain Lao Tan, Sir Old, but now thought more probably to come from the third century BC. The main classic of one of the three Doctrines of traditional Chinese philosophy and belief, Taoism, it presents the major alternative and complement to Confucianism, continuing to occupy a position deep in the Chinese psyche. Its philosophy, after pointing out the fundamental mystery that the cosmos poses to human beings, goes on to champion the notion of the strength that can come from softness, non-interference, and other things commonly deemed weak. No quest after mysticism, it strives to its utmost to present subtle ideas with the greatest clarity. A work for the past, present and very much for the future.