The Tao Teh King, or the Tao and its Characteristics

Mysterious, enduring... The Tao is on of the most pervasive and influential Eastern texts as yet discovered by the West. The story goes that in ancient China, the keeper of the Imperial Library, Lao Tse, was famous for his wisdom. Perceiving the growing corruption of the government, he decided to quit the city. On his way, the guard at the city gates persuaded him to write out the essence of his understanding to benefit future generations. Lao Tse wrote The Tao, handed it over, and was never heard of again.