Chapter XLIII
(Chapter 43)

Ko Yuen Translation

The Cosmic Method

The softest substance¹ hunteth down the hardest²; the unsubstantial³ penetrateth where there is no opening. Here is the Virtue of Inertia.

Few are they who attain: whose speech is Silence, whose Work is Inertia.

S. Mitchell Translation

The gentlest thing in the world
overcomes the hardest thing in the world.
That which has no substance
enters where there is no space.
This shows the value of non-action.

Teaching without words,
performing without actions:
that is the Master's way.

James Legge Translation
1.	The softest thing in the world dashes against and overcomes the hardest; that which has no (substantial) existence enters where there is no crevice. I know hereby what advantage belongs to doing nothing (with a purpose).
2.	There are few in the world who attain to the teaching without words, and the advantage arising from non-action.

GNL not Lao Interpolation

Overcoming

Water overcomes the stone;
Without substance it requires no opening;
This is the benefit of taking no action.

Yet benefit without action,
And experience without abstraction,
Are practiced by very few.

Tao Teh King
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Ko Yuen Commentary
1.	Water-Yoni. Return to text
2.	Rock- Lingam. Return to text
3.	The Luminiferous Ether. Return to text