Tao Te Ching
There are numerous translations of the Tau Te Ching as it has changed and evolved through the centuries. It is an ancient Chinese text of spiritual teachings, instructions, observations and insights. Some consider it the greatest collection of wisdom ever written. This translation by Jonathan Star includes the original characters and verbatim translation after the English section.
The Tau Te Ching is only 81 verses long. A beautiful way to begin a meditation is to read a verse, contemplate it, and meditate.
Here is a portion of the 1st verse:
A way that can be walked is not The Way
A Name that can be named is not The Name
Tao is both Named and Nameless
As Nameless it is the origin of all things
As Named it is the mother of all things
Here is a portion of the 81st verse:
Words born of the mind are not true
True words are not born of the mind
Those who have virtue do not look for faults
Those who look for faults have no virtue
Those who come to know it do not rely on learning
Those who rely on learning do not come to know it