The Tao Te Ching: Recitation of Chapters 1-81

This episode, read by Eric S. Piotrowski and recorded on January 13, 2006, from Madison, Wisconsin, presents a reading of the Tao Te Ching, an ancient Chinese text attributed to Laozi, translated by James Legge. The chapters, from 1 through 81, cover various profound philosophical ideas surrounding the nature of the Tao (the Way), contrast, wisdom, leadership, and the nuances of harmonious living. The text explores the essence of Taoism, emphasizing simplicity, humility, and contentment, and offers poetry-like verses that provide ethical guidance and insights into human behavior and cosmic balance.

This is a LibriVox recording and is under the Public Domain.

(00:00 ) Introduction and Opening Credits

(00:30 ) The Nature of the Dao

(01:31 ) Contrasts and Paradoxes

(03:11 ) Governance and Simplicity

(04:15 ) The Emptiness of the Dao

05:07 The Sage's Way

06:56 The Power of Water

08:06 The Value of Humility

10:06 The Mysterious Dao

15:40 The Unchanging Rule

17:07 The Role of the Ruler

17:52 The Decline of the Dao

18:39 Renouncing Wisdom

21:03 The Grandness of the Dao

23:21 The Power of Non-Action

25:24 The Greatness of the Dao

27:30 The Skillful Sage

28:52 The Nature of the Dao

31:14 The Futility of Force

32:36 The Eternal Dao

35:23 The Value of Simplicity

39:38 The Attributes of the Dao

41:54 The One Dao

43:54 The Movement of the Dao

44:26 Scholars and the Dao

44:51 The Essence of the Dao

45:46 The Paradox of Virtue

46:02 The Cycle of Creation

47:12 The Power of Softness

47:47 The Value of Contentment

48:38 The Nature of Achievement

49:05 The Wisdom of Non-Action

01:00:31 The Way of Moderation

01:02:41 The Sage's Mind

01:03:37 The Art of War and Peace

01:04:56 The Mysterious Operation of the Dao

01:06:16 The Mother of All Things

01:07:10 The Secret of Clear Sightedness

01:07:43 The Great Dao and Its Simplicity

01:10:17 The Power of Gentleness

01:11:54 The Paradox of Water

01:12:53 The Way of Heaven

01:14:23 The Wisdom of the Sage

01:15:33 The Nature of Life and Death

01:16:45 The Balance of Heaven and Earth

01:18:46 The Soft Overcomes the Hard

01:20:13 The Sage's Reconciliation

01:21:54 The Ideal State

01:31:30 The Final Words of Wisdom

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