a philosophical book of verse written by Lao-tse (ca. 604-531 B.C.), one of the great philosophers of China. Meaning "Classic of the Way of Power," this book described an ideal human condition of freedom from desire and of effortless simplicity which can be attained by following the Tao ("Way"). Therefore, we look to such things as the Veda, we look to such things as the Buddhist texts, to the Tao Teh King and other materials of this character from Asia to carry forward to us information of the past.