The 81 Verses

Verse I

道

The Ineffable Tao

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.

Mystery Read Verse → Verse II

相生

The Relativity of Opposites

Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness.

Opposites Read Verse → Verse III

無為

Without Contention

Not exalting the gifted prevents quarreling.

Leadership Read Verse → Verse IV

道沖

The Emptiness of the Tao

The Tao is an empty vessel; it is used, but never filled.

Emptiness Read Verse → Verse V

天地

Heaven and Earth Are Impartial

Heaven and earth are ruthless;

Impartiality Read Verse → Verse VI

谷神

The Valley Spirit

The valley spirit never dies.

Receptivity Read Verse → Verse VII

天長地久

Heaven and Earth Last Forever

Heaven and earth last forever.

Selflessness Read Verse → Verse VIII

上善若水

The Nature of Water

The highest good is like water.

Water Read Verse → Verse IX

持而盈之

Know When to Stop

Better to stop short than fill to the brim.

Sufficiency Read Verse → Verse X

載營魄

Embracing the One

Carrying body and soul and embracing the one,

Wholeness Read Verse → Verse XVI

歸根

Returning to the Root

Empty yourself of everything.

Stillness Read Verse → Verse XXII

曲則全

Yield and Overcome

Yield and overcome.

Yielding Read Verse → Verse XLVIII

損之又損

Less and Less

In pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired.

Subtraction Read Verse → Verse LXXVIII

天下莫柔

Nothing Is Softer Than Water

Under heaven nothing is more soft and yielding than water.

Softness Read Verse → Verse LXXXI

聖人不積

The Sage Does Not Compete

True words are not beautiful.

Completion Read Verse →