Philosopher · 571 BC – 471 BC
Laozi
Little-Known Facts
- Legend says Laozi rode west on a water buffalo and wrote the Tao Te Ching at a border guard's request before vanishing.
- The Tao Te Ching is among the most translated works in world literature, after the Bible.
Myths & Misconceptions
Was Laozi a real person?
It is uncertain. Laozi may have been a single sage, a composite of several thinkers, or a legendary figure; the Tao Te Ching itself likely took shape over time.