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rulers attained oneness and rule grew virtuous.

If heaven were not clear,

it would crumble;

earth without tranquility

would shatter.

Souls without power

would soon dissipate.

Valleys without abundance

are quickly exhausted.

Rulers without esteem

can be toppled.

Thus the noble is rooted in the humble,

the high founded upon the low.

Rulers call themselves orphans, widowers, destitute.

Isn’t humility at the root?

Hence they count many carriages

while disdaining their prestige.

Not wanting to tinkle and chime like jade,

they clatter, falling like stones.

Tung (“Motion”): This character also means “to start,” “to excite,” “to move,” or “to rouse”—“to take action.”

40.

Return is Tao’s motion.

Yielding is Tao’s practice.

Everything in this world

is born in being;

being is born in the void.

41.

A great scholar hears of Tao

and begins diligent practice.

A middling scholar hears of Tao

and retains some and loses some.

An inferior scholar hears of Tao

and roars with ridicule.

Without that laugh, it wouldn’t be Tao.

Therefore these sayings:

Enlightened Tao may seem obscure.

Tao advancing may appear to retreat.

A smooth way may look rocky.

Supreme power looks empty.

Perfect whiteness may appear pitch black.

Abundant virtue appears insufficient.

Vigorous virtue appears frail.

Substantial realities appear to change.

The great square is boundless.

The great vessel is slow to mature.

Great music may be nearly inaudible.

The perfect image has no form.

Tao is hidden—no name—

That is why it excels

at nourishing and fulfilling.

42.

Tao gives birth to one.

One gives birth to two.

Two gives birth to three.

Three gives birth to everything.

All things carry the feminine shade on their backs,

the masculine sun in their arms,

and the vital breath of harmony between.

People hate feeling abandoned, lonely,

out of favor.

And yet leaders claim these names.

Thus some gain in loss,

some lose in gain.

What others taught, I teach.

The violent don’t die a natural death.

That’s my fundamental teaching.

43.

The world’s softest thing

tramples the world’s hardest.

Non-being enters no-space.

Therefore I understand the benefits of not-acting.

Teaching without words,

benefits without actions—

few in the world can grasp it.

44.

Name or body, which is dearer?

Body or wealth, which is worth more?

Gain or loss, which is more harmful?

Extreme love incurs a great cost.

Vast treasures conclude in heavy loss.

Know sufficiency. It’s beyond shame.

Know when to stop, avoiding peril.

That is how to live long.

45.

Great perfection may appear imperfect,

but its usefulness is inexhaustible.

Great abundance may appear empty,

but its usefulness cannot be exhausted.

Great correctness may appear twisted,

great skill appear crude,

great eloquence appear awkward.

Activity conquers cold;

inactivity conquers heat.

Clear serenity governs the world.

Ch’eng (“Perfection”): This character also means “completion,” “success,” or “finished.” But even perfection is transient, not a static concept, but constantly changing, evolving. Temporality itself is perfection.

46.

In a world in accord with Tao,

military horses provide dung for the fields.

In a world without Tao,

horses breed on our sacred mounds.

The greatest calamity is not knowing sufficiency,

no greater calamity than desire for gain.

Therefore contentment

with one’s portion of contentment

is eternal contentment enough.

47.

Without going out the door,

know the world.

Without looking out the window,

see heavenly Tao.

The further one ventures forth,

the less one knows.

Therefore the sage does not venture forth

and yet knows,

does not look

and yet names,

does not strive

and yet attains completion.

48.

Seek knowledge daily and increase;

seek the Tao daily and diminish,

lose, lose again

until you are emptied.

Without being or doing,

grasp the world accordingly,

never meddling.

One who meddles and possesses