Lao Tzu
Ancient Chinese philosopher whom tradition credits with the Tao Te Ching, a founding text of Taoism Show bio
Bio
Lao Tzu kept the royal archives of China's Zhou court, traditional accounts say. He tired of the kingdom's decay, one legend adds, and left to become a hermit.
Lao Tzu reached the western gate, where a guard asked him to write down his wisdom first. He left behind a book in two parts, said to be the Tao Te Ching.
Lao Tzu still divides modern scholars, some of whom doubt he ever lived. He came to be worshipped as a god in religious Taoism. Lao Tzu had left a royal court behind, yet China's Tang emperors claimed him as their ancestor.