Chapter XL
(Chapter 40)

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Ko Yuen Translation

Omitting Utility

1. The Tao proceeds by correlative curves, and its might is in weakness.
2. All things arose from the Teh, and the Teh budded from the Tao.

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S. Mitchell Translation

Return is the movement of the Tao.
Yielding is the way of the Tao.

All things are born of being.
Being is born of non-being.

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James Legge Translation

1. The movement of the Tao
By contraries proceeds;
And weakness marks the course
Of Tao's mighty deeds.
2. All things under heaven sprang from It as existing (and named); that existence sprang from It as non-existent (and not named).

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GNL not Lao Interpolation

Motion and Use

The motion of the Way is to return;
The use of the Way is to accept;
All things come from the Way,
And the Way comes from nothing.

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Ko Yuen Commentary

The law of the Tao is constant compensation; its method is always to redress the balance, and reduce the equation to zero.  In its action it resembles the form of Energy which we call gravitation very closely.  It is an inertia always tending to minimize stress.

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