In Taoism, the classic also known as the Scripture of the Way and Its Power is the Tao Te Ching.
The title is commonly explained through its two parts: “Tao” refers to the Way, while “Te” refers to virtue, integrity, or the power arising from alignment with the Way. “Ching” means a classic or canonical text. The work is also widely rendered in English as the Daodejing or Dao De Jing.
Tradition attributes the text to Laozi, but scholars generally view its formation as a layered process that took place over time. The received version contains 81 short chapters divided into sections on the Tao and Te. Its verses discuss naturalness, simplicity, non-forcing action, and the relationship between personal conduct and good government.
The Tao Te Ching is distinct from the Zhuangzi, another major philosophical Taoist work. It should also not be confused with the Liezi or the Huainanzi, which are separate texts associated with Taoist thought.