Daodejing

The Daodejing (or Tao Te Ching) is a brief work probably composed during the period 350–250 bc. It later became the most authoritative ‘scripture’ in the Daoist religious and philosophical tradition, and in modern times has become among the most often-translated and popular works in world religious literature. It recommends cultivating mental calm, an intuitive, non-conceptual understanding of the world, an integrated and balanced personality, a self-effacing manner and a low-key and non-intrusive leadership style. One who has this spirit has dao (tao), which is also conceived of as a cosmic reality, the origin of the world.