Religion
Chapter 43
Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)
The softest thing in the world dashes against and overcomes the hardest; that which has no (substantial) existence enters where there is no crevice. I know hereby what advantage belongs to doing nothing (with a purpose).
There are few in the world who attain to the teaching without words, and the advantage arising from non-action.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Codex Note
Prose translation of a largely rhymed original, with occasional rhymed renderings by Legge; words in parentheses are his supplied additions.
Cite this poem
MLA
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 43.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/42/.
Chicago
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 43.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/42/.
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