The major piece of literature in Taoism is Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, though it hasn't been established that Lao Tzu was the sole author. There are no references in the work to other persons, events, places, or even writings that could provide any evidence to assist in placing or dating the composition. The fact that the author or location of the work can't be authenticated is somehow in keeping with the philosophy of Taoism; the work exists and that is everything.

The essence of the book is pure simplicity: One should accept what is without wanting to change it. Study the natural order and go with it, rather than against it. The effort to change something creates resistance. Everything nature provides is free; a person should emulate nature and consider everyone as an equal.

If people stand and observe, they will see that work proceeds best if they stop trying too hard. The more extra effort you exert and the harder you look for results, the less gets done. The philosophy of Taoism is one of being more than doing.

The Tao Te Ching was compiled in an environment rife with widespread disorder, wanton self-seeking rulers, and rampant immoral behavior. The popularity of the work has been, and remains, widespread. An amazing number of translations have been produced, more than for any other literary work except the Bible. There have been eighty English translations alone.

Chuang Tzu

Chuang Tzu was a great Taoist sage who lived around 327 B.C.E. He is best known for the book that bears his name, the Chuang Tzu, also known as Nan-hua Chenching (The Pure Classic of Nan-hua). It is thought to have once comprised thirty-three chapters, although there may have been more. As with many works from antiquity, controversy abounds over what the author wrote and what others contributed. However, scholars agree that the first seven chapters of the Chuang-tzu were written by the author alone.

He wrote other books highly critical of Confucianism. On the other hand, he was seen as being a great influence on the development of Chinese Buddhism. Buddhist scholars considered Chuang Tzu to be the primary source for Taoist thought and they drew heavily from his teachings. Overall, he was considered the most significant and comprehensive of the Taoist writers.

Apparently, when he was near death, there was talk of an elaborate funeral. Chuang Tzu dismissed the idea and said that all creation would make offerings and escort him on his way. His disciples replied that they were afraid that the crows and buzzards might eat him if he wasn't properly prepared. Chuang Tzu replied, “Above the ground it's the crows and the kites who will eat me, below the ground it's the worms and the ants. What prejudice is this, that you wish to take from the one to give to the other?”