德

Te

Taoism · concept

Part of Taoism

Virtue, power, integrity. The inherent quality or power that arises from living in alignment with the Tao. In the Tao Te Ching, te is the natural power from living in harmony with the Tao -- not self-conscious virtue but spontaneous goodness, like a flower giving fragrance without trying.

According to the Tao Te Ching, the foundational text attributed to Laozi, and the Zhuangzi, the central writings of Taoist philosophy, Te represents a key concept that continues to inform philosophical thought and practice today.

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2 related philosophical concepts
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6 search questions answered

What Are the Key Facts About Te?

  • Tradition: Taoism
  • Chinese: 德
  • Category: Concept
  • Definition: Virtue, power, integrity.

What Concepts Are Related to Te?

Tao 道
Manifests as
Te is the power that arises from alignment with the Tao
 Laozi 老子
Entity Entity
Laozi expounded Te as the virtue that flows from alignment with the Tao

Common Questions

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Further Reading and Sources

For authoritative academic perspectives on Te, consult these external sources:

Further Reading