บทที่ บทที่ 42 · Chapter 42

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42. 1. The Tao produced One; One produced Two; Two produced Three;

Three produced All things. All things leave behind them the Obscurity

(out of which they have come), and go forward to embrace the

Brightness (into which they have emerged), while they are harmonised

by the Breath of Vacancy.

2. What men dislike is to be orphans, to have little virtue, to be as

carriages without naves; and yet these are the designations which

kings and princes use for themselves. So it is that some things are

increased by being diminished, and others are diminished by being

increased.

3. What other men (thus) teach, I also teach. The violent and strong

do not die their natural death. I will make this the basis of my

teaching.