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Tao Te Ching · Chapter 40

Chapter 40: The Return

Laozi describes the Tao's movement as return and its use as weakness. All things arise from being, and being arises from non-being.

By Lee · · 4 min read

📖 Definition

Chapter 40 shows the Tao's movement is return and its use is weakness. All things arise from being, and being arises from non-being.

Source Text

Read the original alongside the English rendering

Chinese · English

Original Chinese

反者道之動，弱者道之用。

天下之物生於有，有生於無。

English Rendering

Returning — this is the Tao's movement.

Weakness — this is the Tao's use.

All things in the world arise from being.

Being arises from non-being.

The Return

反者道之動 — “Returning — this is the Tao’s movement.”

The Tao moves through return. Everything that rises returns. This is the nature of existence.

Weakness

弱者道之用 — “Weakness — this is the Tao’s use.”

The Tao uses weakness, not force. Water is soft yet overcomes stone. Yielding conquers resisting.

Being from Non-Being

天下之物生於有，有生於無 — “All things in the world arise from being. Being arises from non-being.”

All things come from being (有). Being comes from non-being (無). Non-being is the source.

The Reversal

Everything begins in non-being, becomes being, then returns to non-being. This is the cycle of existence.

Modern Application

We resist change and seek permanence. Chapter 40 suggests: embrace return, use weakness.

Key Takeaways

  • Returning is the Tao’s movement
  • Weakness is the Tao’s use
  • All things arise from being
  • Being arises from non-being
  • Embrace return and yielding

Next: Chapter 41 — The Different Types →

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Lee

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Lee

Lee explains Chinese philosophy, strategy, and stories in plain English — for people who want ancient wisdom they can actually use. Based in China, writing for the world.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'returning' mean?
Everything that rises must fall. Everything that reaches its extreme returns. This is the natural movement of the Tao — return to the origin.
Why is weakness the Tao's use?
The Tao does not force but yields. Water is soft but overcomes stone. Weakness is not helplessness but the power of yielding.

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