Tao Te Ching Chapter 42 – 道化 (道德經 第42章)
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Tao Te Ching — Chapter 42: The Transformations of the Dao
道德經 第四十二章 · 道化 · Lao Tzu · Bilingual Edition with Classical Commentaries
Original Text — 原文
English Translation — James Legge
The Dao produced One; One produced Two; Two produced Three; Three produced All things. All things leave behind them the Obscurity out of which they have come, and go forward to embrace the Brightness into which they have emerged, while they are harmonised by the Breath of Vacancy.
What men dislike is to be orphans, to have little virtue, to be as carriages without naves; and yet these are the designations which kings and princes use for themselves. So it is that some things are increased by being diminished, and others are diminished by being increased.
What other men thus teach, I also teach. The violent and strong do not die their natural death. I will make this the basis of my teaching. As shown in Chapter 40, weakness is how the Dao operates — and what is strong and violent runs contrary to it.
✦ Key Insight
Chapter 42 contains one of the most celebrated cosmological statements in all of Chinese philosophy: the Dao generates One, One generates Two, Two generates Three, Three generates the ten thousand things. All things carry yin on their backs and embrace yang, harmonized by the vital breath (chong qi 沖氣). The chapter then turns to paradox: kings call themselves orphans and worthless — because diminishment leads to increase. The violent and strong do not die naturally. This is the teaching.
Classical Commentaries — 古典注释
王弼注 Wang Bi's Commentary
Wang Bi explains the creative process: the Dao generates One, One generates Two, Two generates Three, Three generates all things. All things carry yin and embrace yang, harmonized by the vital breath. The violent and strong do not die a natural death — this is the foundation of teaching.
河上公注 Heshang Gong's Commentary
Heshang Gong explains cosmic generation: the Dao brings forth the One, which produces yin and yang, which together generate the three breaths forming Heaven, Earth, and humanity. All things carry yin on their backs and embrace yang. The ruler uses lowly titles to practice humility.
About the Author
Paul Peng
Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is the curator of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.
Read his full story →
