# XLIII explained — Tao Te Ching

> Chapter companion for Tao Te Ching by Laozi.

## What happens

This chapter emphasizes the power of softness and non-action, illustrating how the gentlest force overcomes the hardest, and how non-existence can penetrate where there is no gap. It notes that few understand the teaching without words or the advantage of non-action.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wu Wei (Non-Action or Effortless Action)

The chapter explicitly discusses the advantage of doing nothing with a purpose and the rarity of attaining to the teaching without words.

### The Soft Overcoming the Hard

The opening line describes the softest thing overcoming the hardest, a core expression of this theme.

## Key lines

> The softest thing in the world dashes against and overcomes the hardest; that which has no (substantial) existence enters where there is no crevice.

The most yielding substance can defeat the most rigid; what is formless can penetrate even the smallest opening.

_Illustrates the paradox of softness and emptiness prevailing over hardness and solidity._

> I know hereby what advantage belongs to doing nothing (with a purpose).

From this I understand the benefit of acting without deliberate intent.

_Connects the physical metaphor to the principle of wu wei._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/chapters/part-ii-xliii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/chapters