The Tao 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 harmonized by the Breath of Vacancy.

What people dislike is to be orphans, to have little virtue, to be as carriages without hubs; 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 people (thus) teach, I also teach. The violent and strong do not die their natural death. I will make this the basis of my teaching.