There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self.


 
   Sign up


Tao te Ching

42 Tao gives birth to one. One gives birth to two. Two gives birth to three. Three gives birth to all things and all beings. All beings bear the negative physical form which is represented by Ying, and embrace the positive true nature which is represented by Yang. With the union of these two, they arrive at a state of harmony. Men dislike to be “the solitude,” “the unworthy,” and “the virtueless,” Yet the Lords and nobles call themselves these names. Hence, things are benefited by being humble, and damaged by profiting. What the ancients had taught, I shall also teach as such: A man of violence who is in disharmony between Ying and Yang that is the physical body and true self, shall die of an unnatural death. This is the essential of my teaching.

Fetch new verse at random.

Tao Te Ching is an ancient and respected spiritual and cultural text. It belongs to all of us.

Every time when this page is entered or reloaded a random verse of The Tao appears.
If you wish to link to a specific vers when it appears, simply choose the permaling below.

Permalink for verse 42