《道德经》英译（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。

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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.