Source

Tao Te Ching

The foundational text of Taoism, traditionally attributed to Laozi, whose historical existence and authorship remain genuinely uncertain among scholars. As the tradition's primary scripture it sits at this atlas's top tier, meaning it authoritatively records what the text itself says, not independent confirmation of any claim about its authorship or date. Use it to establish what a specific passage actually says. Translations vary significantly given the text's famously terse and ambiguous classical Chinese, and a claim resting on a specific reading or interpretation should note which translation it follows, since different renderings can differ substantially in meaning.

Facts

Assessment

Reliability Tier

The foundational text of Taoism, traditionally attributed to Laozi, whose historical authorship remains genuinely uncertain among scholars, the tradition's primary scripture cited for what a passage itself says.

Notes

Foundational text of Taoism.

Citation

Author

Laozi (attributed)

URL

https://ctext.org/dao-de-jing

Source Type

primary-text

Connections

Associated With

Laozi

This source names Laozi directly: "of Taoism, traditionally attributed to Laozi, whose historical existence and authorship remain genuinely uncertain among scholars."

Source Tao Te ChingLaozi (attributed)

Claims Backed By This Source (478 claims)

This source backs 478 claims across the atlas. As facts: 206 well-attested. As cited relationships: 168 holds, 1 connected. Plus 103 entities citing it as a general reference with no single fact or relationship attached.

Disposition By Topic

Scripture Portions, 262 claims: 15 well-attested, 164 holds, 83 general references.
Articles, 175 claims: 173 well-attested, 1 connected, 1 general references.
Beliefs & Restrictions, 10 claims: 6 well-attested, 1 holds, 3 general references.
Practices, 7 claims: 2 well-attested, 1 holds, 4 general references.
Sources, 7 claims: 6 well-attested, 1 holds.
Doctrines, 6 claims: 1 well-attested, 5 general references.
Figures, 2 claims: 2 general references.
Metaphysical Positions, 2 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 general references.
Numbers, 2 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 general references.
Religions, 2 claims: 1 holds, 1 general references.
Scriptures & Texts, 2 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 general references.
Esoteric Texts, 1 claims: 1 general references.