《道德经》英译（第五十一章）

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。

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Chapter 51

 

The Way gives birth to them and integrity nurtures them.

Matter forms them and function completes them.

For this reason,

The myriad creatures respect the Way and esteem integrity.

Respect for the Way and esteem for integrity are by no means conferred upon them but always occur naturally.

The Way

gives birth to them,

nurtures them,

rears them,

follows them,

shelters them,

toughens them,

sustains them,

protects them.

It

gives birth but does not possess,

acts but does not presume,

rears but does not control.

This is what is called “mysterious integrity.”

 

（Victor H. Mair 译）