41.
When a wise person hears of the way
he practices it diligently
When an average person hears of the way
he practices it now and then
When an inferior person hears of the way
he laughs uproariously
If he does not laugh then it is not the true way
Thus the age-old sayings:
The way to illumination looks dark
The way that advances appears to retreat
The smooth way appears uneven
High virtue looks like an abyss
Purest goodness appears tarnished
True steadfastness seems flimsy
The most genuine appears soiled
Great space has no corners
Great talents ripen late
Great music is hard to hear
The great form is without shape
for Tao is hidden and nameless
Tao alone nourishes and fulfills all things
42.
The way gave birth to one
One gave birth to two
Two gave birth to three
Three gave birth to the myriad creatures
The myriad creatures carry on their backs the yin
and embrace in their arms the yang
and are the blending of the generative forces of the two
What is more loathed by man than to be called
orphaned, powerless, and unworthy?
And yet these are the very names the lords and princes
call themselves
Things are often increased by seeking to diminish them
and diminished by seeking to increase them
What others teach I also teach
The violent will die a violent death
This will be the essence of my teaching
43.
The softest thing in the universe
can overcome the hardest thing
That which has no substance
can penetrate where there is no space
That is why I know the benefits
of resorting to non-action
The teaching without words
The value of non-action
are understood by few
44.
Which is more precious fame or health?
Which is more valuable health or wealth?
Which is more harmful winning or losing?
He who is attached to things will suffer much
The larger your hoard the heavier your losses
He who is contented with what he has will never be disgraced
He who knows when to stop will not be endangered
He can then endure
