The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. The Nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth; the Named is the mother of all things.

The name that can be named is not the eternal Name.

The Tao [Way] that can be told of is not the eternal Tao;The name that can be named is not the eternal name.The Nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth;The Named is the mother of all things.Therefore, let there always be non-being, so we may see their subtlety,And let there always be being, so we may see their outcome.The two are the same,But after they are produced, they have different names.They both may be called deep and profound.Deeper and more profound,The door of all subtleties!

All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.

All things in the world come from being. And being comes from non-being.

From of old the things that have acquired unity are these: Heaven by unity has become clear; Earth by unity has become steady; The Spirit by unity has become spiritual; The Valley by unity has become full; All things by unity have come into existence.