A Chapter for You · Chapter 1
道可道，非常道；名可名，非常名。
无名天地之始，有名万物之母。
故常无欲，以观其妙；常有欲，以观其徼。
此两者同出而异名，同谓之玄。玄之又玄，众妙之门。
—— 老子《道德经》De Via et Nomine
Read this chapter →Why laotzu.ai?
📜
Understandable
AI translates 2,500-year-old classical Chinese into modern language with pinyin. Everyone can read it.
💬
Conversational
Chat with Laotzu about each chapter. Share your struggles and he responds with the wisdom of that chapter.
🌍
Global
150+ language translations planned. Wisdom knows no borders — everyone deserves to read Laotzu.
Speak with Laotzu
Or start with a question:
Explore Chapters
🌿 Life Wisdom
8. Summum Bonum Aquae Simile Est
9. De Continendo et Recedendo
22. Ceditur ut Integritas Fiat
33. De Cognitione et Victoria
All 81 chapters →
🏛️ Leadership
3. De Non Extollendis Sapientibus
17. De Optimo Duce
57. Recte Regna Guberna
60. De Magna Republica Gubernanda
All 81 chapters →
🧘 Inner Peace
10. De Unitate Spiritus et Actione Sine Actione
13. De Favoris et Dedecoris Aequali Pavore
16. De vacuitate et quiete ad extremum perducendis
20. Scientiam Remove et Sine Solicitudine Esto
All 81 chapters →