Writings

• Taoism is a philosophical and religious tradition in China based on the teachings of Lao-tzu. Lao-tzu allegedly wrote the "Tao Te Ching," the second most translated work in world literature after the Bible. Scholar Michael LaFargue argued there might have been an oral tradition of sayings and Lao-tzu simply recorded many of them, or it might be a composite of several different writings. Confucius's teachings were preserved in the "Analects." The accuracy of the "Analects" is also uncertain, since the text has inconsistencies and incompatibilities of thought, and both disciples of Confucius and their own disciples compiled the book.
  
  

Biographies

• The court historian Sima Qian created a biography of Lao-tzu that stated that he was native to Chu, which was a southern state in the Zhou dynasty. Sima Qian's biography has nothing that demonstrates its factuality. Sima Qian also wrote about Confucius, though his account on Confucius was questionable, specifically the number of disciples that Sima Qian claimed Confucius had. Sima Qian said that he had as many as three thousand.
  
  

Careers

• Confucius spent much of his life in poverty and struggled to survive by performing menial work. The Chinese government recognized Confucius for his talents and appointed him to Minister of Public Works and later the Minister of Crime, but later forced him into exile when he offended members of the Lu nobility. Lao-tzu kept archive records at the court of Zhou.
  
  

Humility

• Lao-tzu believed in self-effacement and avoiding fame. Confucius often claimed that he did not create his teachings, but simply transmitted them from older thinkers. Confucius' behavior served as a model for courtliness and decorum for Chinese officials. However, it is said that Confucius consulted with Lao-tzu on rites and gave him praise, suggesting that Lao-tzu was a senior contemporary of Confucius.
  
  

Teachings

• Lao-tzu created many phrases that serve to guide those who understand their meaning. One phrase is "governing a large country is like cooking a small fish." Lao-tzu held that people hold no special place in the Dao, which was the mystical source and ideal of all existence. Those who behave unnaturally upset the natural balance. Confucius held that people have certain parameters within which they can live, arguing that people are responsible for their actions and how they treat others. Confucius strongly believed people should love others and show compassion. Confucius also discouraged artful speech, encouraging simple and slow speech instead. He placed high importance on self-restraint.