The Sayings of Lao Tzu

What it is

This is a short English translation of sayings attributed to Laozi, made in 1904 by the scholar Lionel Giles. It opens with an introduction comparing Laozi to Confucius and noting how little is reliably known about his life.

Why it matters

Translations like this one introduced Laozi's ideas to English-speaking readers in the early twentieth century. The introduction itself shows how uncertain historians were—and still are—about whether Laozi was a real person, since even the earliest Chinese accounts of his life were viewed with suspicion by scholars.

Look closer

• Why does the translator warn readers to be cautious about the traditional stories of Laozi's life?
• What does comparing Laozi to Confucius suggest about how he was remembered?
• How might a translation made in 1904 differ from the original Chinese text in tone or meaning?