Lao Zi, said to be alive during the 6th century B.C, is credited as the author of the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching), and therefore as the ‘founder of Daoism’. The book is one of the most popular books in the world, and can be translated in many ways, such as ‘The book of the virtue of the way [of nature]’, ‘The benefit of living one’s true nature’, ‘the classical virtue of heavenly being’, ‘writings on the power of living as you naturally are’, ‘manual on the action of the Principle’, ‘the classic of the character of the Totality’.

Here is Chapter 8 (translation by Stan Rosenthal), advising how to become in tune with the Dao, with our own nature:

“Great good is said to be like water,
sustaining life with no conscious striving,
flowing naturally, providing nourishment,
found even in places
which desiring man rejects.

In this way
it is like the Tao itself.

Like water, the sage abides in a humble place;
in meditation, without desire;
in thoughtfulness, he is profound,
and in his dealings, kind.
In speech, sincerity guides the man of Tao,
and as a leader, he is just.
In management, competence is his aim,
and he ensures the pacing is correct.

Because he does not act for his own ends,
nor cause unnecessary conflict,
he is held to be correct
in his actions towards his fellow man.”