Laozi
Archetype: Quietist of Autonomy
c. 571 BC to 471 BC · China
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Do you think like Laozi? Answer 44 to 132 statements and find out who, among 130 thinkers, has the way of thinking closest to yours.
Who was Laozi
A semi-legendary figure of ancient China, traditionally considered the author of the Tao Te Ching, a short, poetic book. According to tradition, he worked as an archivist at court and left for the west riding a water buffalo. Historians debate whether he really existed, but his ideas founded Taoism and still influence Eastern thought today.
Core ideas
- The Tao is the natural way of all things and cannot be defined in words
- Acting without forcing, wu wei, is more effective than fighting the flow
- Simplicity, humility, and gentleness overcome rigidity and brute force
The tradition: Taoist
Taoism is the Chinese tradition that seeks to live in harmony with the Tao, the natural flow of the universe. Laozi is considered its founder, alongside Zhuangzi.
Learn more: Wikipedia
Books by Laozi
Three ways in. Start with the first.
Where Laozi stands on the 11 axes
Each axis runs from the first pole (−1) to the second (+1). These are the positions the test compares with your answers.
