Chapter 41
The Way gives rise to the One, the One gives rise to the Two, the Two gives rise to the Three, and the Three gives rise to the ten thousand things.
The ten thousand things carry yin on their backs and embrace yang in their arms; through the surging of vital breath, they achieve harmony.
What people despise are precisely 'the orphaned,' 'the widowed,' and 'the unworthy' - yet kings and dukes adopt these as their titles.
Thus with all things: some are diminished yet thereby increased; some are increased yet thereby diminished.
What others have taught, I too shall teach.
The forceful and unyielding do not die natural deaths - this I shall take as the father of my teachings.