“Taoist Teachings” is Lionel Giles’ 1912 English translation of the Lieh-Tzŭ, one of the classic works of Taoist philosophy. The Lieh-Tzŭ complements the Tao-Te-Ching and Chuang-Tzŭ, presenting a collection of parables, reflections, and dialogues that illustrate the spontaneity and simplicity central to Taoist thought.
Giles, a distinguished sinologist and curator at the British Museum, based his translation on traditional Chinese editions and provided concise notes to help Western readers grasp the text’s historical and philosophical context. The book deals with the nature of reality, the relativity of knowledge, and the art of effortless action (wu-wei).
Unlike later mystical interpretations, this translation preserves the clear, aphoristic tone of the original. Each chapter contains stories of sages, kings, and ordinary people who discover harmony by following the Tao — the Way that underlies all existence.
Today Taoist Teachings remains an accessible doorway into Chinese philosophy, valued for both its literary beauty and its timeless insight into balance, humility, and non-attachment. Download the free PDF e-book here:
