The author states that “the way” (or tao) cannot be described with words. Instead, the way, or the tao is “nameless.” The tao is also what created heaven and earth. To learn how the tao works, one must not have any desires. However, to see the universe, which is the “manifestation” of the tao, one can have desires. The essential nature of the tao, and its manifestation in the universe, are two different things, the author asserts. This is the root of the tao’s mystery and the beginning of understanding its secrets.

This chapter asserts that qualities are defined by their opposites. For example, something is defined by nothingness, just as what is difficult is defined by what is easy. The qualities of long and short and high and low are also defined by their contradictions to each other. Noise and silence work well together, as do the concepts of before and after.

Following this idea, a ruler, or sage, must rule by taking no action and using no words. In order to rule, a person must not take control of anything or ask for any thanks or recognition. Because the ruler does not ask for recognition, the ruler receives this recognition.