“ The gentlest thing in the world overcomes the hardest thing in the world. ”
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching (4th century BC). copy citation
| Author | Lao Tzu |
|---|---|
| Source | Tao Te Ching |
| Topic | kindness hardness |
| Date | 4th century BC |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by Stephen Mitchell |
| Weblink | https://terebess.hu/english/tao/mitchell.html |
Context
“
When male and female combine, all things achieve harmony. Ordinary men hate solitude.
But the Master makes use of it, embracing his aloneness, realizing he is one with the whole universe.
43 The gentlest thing in the world overcomes the hardest thing in the world.
That which has no substance enters where there is no space.
This shows the value of non-action. Teaching without words,
performing without actions: that is the Master's way.
” source
When male and female combine, all things achieve harmony. Ordinary men hate solitude.
But the Master makes use of it, embracing his aloneness, realizing he is one with the whole universe.
43 The gentlest thing in the world overcomes the hardest thing in the world.
That which has no substance enters where there is no space.
This shows the value of non-action. Teaching without words,
performing without actions: that is the Master's way.
” source
Meaning and analysis
