But common2° like rock.E Notes A : presumably, oneness with Dao B : specifically, a Marquis (see #32) C : compare to #2, where high and low lean on each other D : these two symbols together can also be translated as “worthless” or “unhappy” Cross-references the ancients/elders : #14, #15, #22, #38, #62, #65, #68 valley : #6, #15, #28, #32, #41, #66 nobles (in general) : #32, #37, #42, #62, #80 serve the world : #13, #49 orphaned, lonely, and unlucky : #42 Chapter Forty 反 者 道 之 動 • 弱 者 道 之 用 • 天 下 萬 物 生 於 有 有 生 於 無 • The movement of Dao returns things. The function of Dao is to weaken things. The ten thousand creatures of the world are created from being; Being is created from non-being. ♦The movement of Dao returns things. [entities] ♦The function of Dao is to weaken things.A [usefulness] [entities] The ten thousandB creatures of the world2 are created from being;C Being is created from non-being.D Notes A : all creatures grow weaker as they age, and all man-made things decay and fall apart, which is the way (Dao) of the universe; this is why in #30 and #55 creatures which are old but still robust are “not Dao”; compare these first two lines to #14 and #21, where Dao’s action is indistinct and confusing B : technically, the majority of the sources read “The creatures of the world…” but “ten thousand creatures” is such a standard saying everywhere else that it is retained here from the other sources C : compare to #42, where creatures are created by “three” D : compare to #2, where non-being and being create each other Cross-references returning : #14, #16, #19, #20, #22, #25, #28, #34, #52, #58, #60, #64, #65, #80 weak : #3, #29, #36, #55, #76, #78 non-being : #2, #43 Chapter Forty One 上 士 聞 道 勤 而 行 之 中 士 聞 道 若 存 若 亡 下 士 聞 道 大 笑 之 不 笑 不 足 以 為 道 • (•)故 建 言 有 之 (曰) • 明 道 若 昧 進 道 若 退 夷 道 若 纇 上 德 若 谷 • 大 白 若 辱 廣 德 若 不 足 建 德 若 偷 質 真 若 渝 大 方 無 隅 大 器 晚 成 大 音 希 聲 大 象 無 形 道 隱 無 名 • (•)夫 唯 道 善 (始) 且 (善) 成 The superior scholar hearing of Dao works hard and practices it. The average scholar hearing of Dao seems to keep it, seems to lose it. The inferior scholar hearing of Dao laughs greatly at it. If he did not laugh, it would not be qualified to be Dao. Therefore : in the established sayings that exist, it is said – Insight into Dao seems like darkness. Advancing in Dao seems like retreating. Smooth Dao seems knotted.