RECEIVED TEXT
The Wang Bi tradition
The Chinese reading text here follows the Wang Bi edition identified by our source. Its familiar order begins with the Dao section, followed by De.
DAO
1–37DE
38–81
Read this edition ↗1–37DE
38–81
TEXTUAL TRADITIONS
A text with a history.
The Tao Te Ching has reached us through manuscripts, inscriptions, and commentarial editions. Wording, sequence, and punctuation are part of its history.
SILK MANUSCRIPTS
Mawangdui
The silk manuscripts discovered at Mawangdui in 1973 put the De section before Dao. They preserve wording that differs from the received tradition.
DE
firstDAO
second
Chinese source ↗firstDAO
second
BAMBOO MANUSCRIPTS
Guodian
The Guodian bamboo texts contain material corresponding to portions of the received Laozi. They are not a complete parallel edition of all 81 chapters.
SELECTED
passagesDIFFERENT
groups
Reading the evidence ↗passagesDIFFERENT
groups
A SMALL EXAMPLE · CHAPTER 1
“Constant” and “enduring”
Received text
道可道，非常道Silk manuscript reading
道可道也，非恒道也This example illustrates a difference in wording. It is not a complete critical apparatus. Modern punctuation and English renderings also involve interpretation.
Read chapter 1