Translations at a glance
J Legge J H McDonald Lin Yutang
J Legge
The movement of the Tao
By contraries proceeds;
And weakness marks the course
Of Tao’s mighty deeds.
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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J H McDonald
All movement returns to the Tao.
Weakness is how the Tao works.
All of creation is born from substance.
Substance is born of nothing-ness.
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Lin Yutang
Reversion is the action of Tao.
Gentleness is the function of Tao.
The things of this world come from Being,
And Being (comes) from Non-being.
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