1. 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 harmonised by the breath of vacancy.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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、不谷，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

【译文】

道使宇宙混成为一，混成之一又呈现形态分化，形态分化形成各类群体，各类群体因个体的相互独立而形成各具体存在。各具体存在都以其所具的阴德而保有现实的阳禄，它们因浑融于道而相谐和。 人所最嫌恶的，就数孤弱、无助、不谦虚，而王公却用这些作为对自己的称呼。所以，对各种具体存在来说，有时会因减损而增益，有时会因增益而减损。别人的教训，我也作为教训：强行霸道的人总不得好死，我将引以为戒鉴。