五十一章
道生之，德畜之，物形之，器成之。
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，养之覆之，生而不有，为而不恃，长而不宰，是谓玄德。
Tao gives them birth,
Teh (character) fosters them.
The material world gives them form.
The circumstances of the moment complete them.
Therefore all things of the universe worship Tao and exalt Teh.
Tao is worshipped and Teh is exalted
Without anyone’s order but is so of its own accord.
Therefore Tao gives them birth,
Teh fosters them,
Makes them grow, develops them,
Gives them a harbor, a place to dwell in peace,
Feeds them and shelter them.
It gives them birth and does not own them,
Acts (helps) and does not appropriate them,
Is superior, and does not control them.
– This is the Mystic Virtue.
