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"Tao gives birth to one, One gives birth to two, Two gives birth to three, Three gives birth to ten thousand beings. Ten thousand beings carry yin on their backs and embrace yang in their front, Blending these two vital breaths (ch'i) to attain harmony (ho). What people hate most, Are to be orphaned, widowed and unworthy. Yet kings and dukes call themselves by these. Thus things are either decreased so as to be increased, Or increased (i) so as to be decreased (sun). What others teach, I also teach: "The strong and violent (ch'iang liang) do not die a natural death." This I shall hold as the father (fu) of my teaching."

Author

Lao Tzu

All Translations

English

"Tao gives birth to one, One gives birth to two, Two gives birth to three, Three gives birth to ten thousand beings. Ten thousand beings carry yin on their backs and embrace yang in their front, Blending these two vital breaths (ch'i) to attain harmony (ho). What people hate most, Are to be orphaned, widowed and unworthy. Yet kings and dukes call themselves by these. Thus things are either decreased so as to be increased, Or increased (i) so as to be decreased (sun). What others teach, I also teach: "The strong and violent (ch'iang liang) do not die a natural death." This I shall hold as the father (fu) of my teaching."

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