| Original | English Translation |
|---|---|
| The Way produces the One, | |
| the One produces two, | |
| two produce three, | |
| and three produce all things. | |
| All things bear yin and embrace yang; | |
| surging breath creates harmony. | |
| What people despise | |
| are only the orphan, the widow, and the unworthy, | |
| yet kings and lords use these as their titles. | |
| Thus some things are diminished to be increased, | |
| and some are increased to be diminished. | |
| What people teach, | |
| I also teach. | |
| The violent do not meet their proper death; | |
| I shall make this the father of my teaching. |