道是独一无二的，道本身包含阴阳二气，阴阳二气相交而形成一种适匀的状态，万物在这种状态中产生。万物背阴而向阳，并且在阴阳二气的互相激荡而成新的和谐体。人们最厌恶的就是“孤”、“寡”、“不谷”，但王公却用这些字来称呼自己。所以一切事物，如果减损它却反而得到增加；如果增加它却反而得到减损。别人这样教导我，我也这样去教导别人。强暴的人死无其所。我把这句话当作施教的宗旨。

第四十二章

道生一，
一生二，
二生三，
三生万物。
万物负阴而抱阳，
冲气以为和。
人之所恶，
唯孤、寡不毂，
而王公以为称。
故物或损之而益，
或益之而损。
人之所教，
我亦教之，
强梁者不得其死。
吾将以为教父。

Chapter 42

The Way begot one,
And the one, two;
Then the two begot three
And three, all else.
All things bear the shade on their backs
And the sun in their arms;
By the blending of breath
From the sun and the shade,
Equilibrium comes to the world.
Orphaned, or needy, or desolate, these
Are conditions much feared and disliked;
Yet in public address, the king
And the nobles account themselves thus.
So a loss sometimes benefits one
Or a benefit proves to be loss.
What others have taught
I also shall teach:
If a violent man does not come
To a violent death,
I shall choose him to teach me.