Lao Tzu (also spelled Laozi) is the legendary founder of Taoism and the attributed author of the _Tao Te Ching_, a foundational text of Chinese philosophy and spiritual insight. Believed to have lived in the 6th century BCE, Lao Tzu advocated for harmony with the Tao—the natural flow of the universe—through simplicity, humility, and non-resistance. Lao Tzu’s teachings emphasize stillness, surrender, and the power of letting go.