CHINESE ORIGINAL
道生之，德畜之，物形之，势成之。
是以万物莫不尊道而贵德。
道之尊，德之贵，夫莫之命而常自然。
故道生之，德畜之。
长之育之，亭之毒之，盖之覆之。
生而不有，为而不恃，长而不宰。
是谓玄德。
ENGLISH · JAMES LEGGE, 1891
All things are produced by the Tao, and nourished by its outflowing operation. They receive their forms according to the nature of each, and are completed according to the circumstances of their condition. Therefore all things without exception honour the Tao, and exalt its outflowing operation.
This honouring of the Tao and exalting of its operation is not the result of any ordination, but always a spontaneous tribute.
Thus it is that the Tao produces (all things), nourishes them, brings them to their full growth, nurses them, completes them, matures them, maintains them, and overspreads them.
It produces them and makes no claim to the possession of them; it carries them through their processes and does not vaunt its ability in doing so; it brings them to maturity and exercises no control over them;--this is called its mysterious operation.
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The Way
The source that cannot be fully named. Explore the language of emptiness, return, and the patterns through which things arise.
The Way