Semi-legendary figure traditionally identified as a Zhou dynasty archivist who became disillusioned with civilization. Whether a single historical person, a composite, or a purely literary figure, 'Laozi' functions in the text as the voice of the Tao itself — calm, paradoxical, gently subversive, and ultimately unknowable. His legendary departure into the wilderness after writing the text mirrors the text's own counsel: do the work, then disappear.