Chapter 51
The Dao gives birth to all things, and De (virtue) nurtures them. Matter shapes their forms, and circumstances drive their development. Thus, all things revere the Dao and cherish De. Yet the exalted status of Dao and De is not granted by any authority—it arises naturally. Therefore, the Dao is responsible for creation, while De fosters growth—guiding beings to flourish, mature, take form, receive nourishment, and ultimately return to dissolution. It creates without possessing, acts without boasting, guides without controlling. This is the essence of profound virtue (Xuan De).
(From Tao Te Ching Chapter 51, this passage reveals the Daoist core philosophy of "creating without possessing": like sunlight and rain nurturing plants without demanding anything in return, true merit lies in silently sustaining all things without asserting dominance.)
Key Notes:
Terms like Dao (道) and De (德) are transliterated to preserve their philosophical weight, with brief explanations in parentheses.
Phrases like "生而不有，为而不恃，长而不宰" are translated concisely to mirror the rhythmic parallelism of the original text.
The metaphor "阳光雨露滋养草木" is adapted to resonate with Western readers while retaining its poetic intent.
The parenthetical note clarifies the chapter source and contextualizes the Daoist principle of non-attachment.
