# Laozi

> 6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

**Wikidata**: [Q9333](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9333)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laozi)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/laozi

## Summary
Laozi was a 6th-century BC semi-legendary Chinese philosopher and the founder of Taoism. He is best known for his contributions to Taoist philosophy, which emphasized harmony with the Tao (the natural way of the universe) and the importance of simplicity and spontaneity in living.

## Biography
- Born: c. 604–571 BC (dates vary by source)
- Nationality: Chinese
- Education: Unknown (no records of formal education)
- Known for: Founding Taoism and authoring the *Tao Te Ching*
- Employer(s): None (lived as a hermit)
- Field(s): Chinese philosophy, Taoism

## Contributions
- **Tao Te Ching**: Wrote the foundational Taoist text, which remains a central work in Taoist philosophy, emphasizing the principles of the Tao, wu wei (non-action), and the balance between yin and yang.
- **Founder of Taoism**: Established Taoism as a distinct philosophical and religious tradition in ancient China, influencing later Chinese thought and culture.

## FAQs
### What is Laozi known for?
Laozi is known for founding Taoism and authoring the *Tao Te Ching*, a foundational text in Taoist philosophy that emphasizes harmony with the natural way of the universe.

### Where did Laozi live?
Laozi lived in ancient China, primarily during the Zhou dynasty, and is said to have spent much of his time as a hermit, seeking enlightenment.

### What is the Tao Te Ching?
The *Tao Te Ching* is a classic Taoist text attributed to Laozi, which explores the principles of the Tao, the natural way of the universe, and the importance of simplicity and spontaneity in living.

### What is Taoism?
Taoism is a philosophical and religious tradition founded by Laozi, emphasizing harmony with the Tao, the natural way of the universe, and the importance of simplicity and spontaneity in living.

## Why They Matter
Laozi's contributions to Taoism have had a profound and lasting impact on Chinese philosophy and culture. The *Tao Te Ching* remains a central text in Taoist thought, influencing generations of philosophers, scholars, and practitioners. Laozi's emphasis on harmony with the natural way of the universe and the importance of simplicity and spontaneity in living continues to resonate in contemporary thought and practice.

## Notable For
- Founder of Taoism, a major philosophical and religious tradition in ancient China.
- Author of the *Tao Te Ching*, a foundational text in Taoist philosophy.
- Influence on Chinese philosophy and culture, shaping later thought and practice.

## Body
### Early Life and Legacy
Laozi was born in the 6th century BC, during the Zhou dynasty, and is often depicted as a semi-legendary figure. Little is known about his early life, but he is said to have lived as a hermit, seeking enlightenment and developing his philosophical teachings.

### Founding Taoism
Laozi founded Taoism, a philosophical and religious tradition that emphasizes harmony with the Tao, the natural way of the universe. His teachings, as recorded in the *Tao Te Ching*, emphasize the importance of simplicity, spontaneity, and non-action (wu wei) in living.

### The Tao Te Ching
The *Tao Te Ching* is a classic Taoist text attributed to Laozi, which explores the principles of the Tao, the natural way of the universe, and the importance of simplicity and spontaneity in living. The text remains a central work in Taoist philosophy, influencing generations of scholars and practitioners.

### Influence and Legacy
Laozi's contributions to Taoism have had a profound and lasting impact on Chinese philosophy and culture. The *Tao Te Ching* remains a central text in Taoist thought, influencing later Chinese thought and practice. Laozi's emphasis on harmony with the natural way of the universe and the importance of simplicity and spontaneity in living continues to resonate in contemporary thought and practice.

## References

1. New Book of Tang
2. China Biographical Database
3. LIBRIS. 2017
4. The Fine Art Archive
5. Library of the World's Best Literature
6. Japan Search
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. CiNii Research
9. MusicBrainz
10. general catalog of BnF
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. Integrated Authority File
13. Czech National Authority Database
14. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index10.html)
15. CONOR.SI
16. CERL Thesaurus
17. Quora
18. Carnegie Hall linked open data
19. FactGrid
20. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands