42.

Tao gives birth to one.

One gives birth to two.

Two gives birth to three.

Three gives birth to everything.

All things carry the feminine shade on their backs,

the masculine sun in their arms,

and the vital breath of harmony between.

People hate feeling abandoned, lonely,

out of favor.

And yet leaders claim these names.

Thus some gain in loss,

some lose in gain.

What others taught, I teach.

The violent don’t die a natural death.

That’s my fundamental teaching.