Tao Te Ching – Verse 51
Every being in the universe
is an expression of the Tao.
It springs into existence,
unconscious, perfect, free,
takes on a physical body,
lets circumstances complete it.
That is why every being
spontaneously honors the Tao.
The Tao gives birth to all beings,
nourishes them, maintains them,
cares for them, comforts them, protects them,
takes them back to itself,
creating without possessing,
acting without expecting,
guiding without interfering.
That is why love of the Tao
is in the very nature of things.
(translation by Stephen Mitchell, 1995)
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Tao produces them
Virtue raises them
Things shape them
Forces perfect them
Therefore all things respect the Tao and value virtue
The respect for Tao, the value of virtue
Not due to command but to constant nature
Thus Tao produces them
Virtue raises them
Grows them, educates them
Perfects them, matures them
Nurtures them, protects them
Produces but does not possess
Acts but does not flaunt
Nurtures but does not dominate
This is called Mystic Virtue
(translation by Derek Lin, 2006)
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Zero, everywhere and nowhere,
Is both the Loving Mother and Protective Father.
Asking Nothing, giving everything.
Just as shade in the sun is not noticed,
The Two are not noticed.
The Two hold their power in the One,
And the One, better than all,
Knows the Bliss of Zero.
(translation by Jeremy M. Miller, 2013)
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from I Ching Online
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