Chapter 51 · The Tao Nourishes All Things

Tao Te Ching (Legge, 1891) · chapter title added by Learn the Dao

Learn the Dao: a quiet practice for learning the thing that can’t be known.

The chapter’s first line

All things are produced by the Tao,

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This chapter in plain modern English — David Kooi’s rendering ↓

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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It produces them and makes no claim — missed to the possession of them

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Chapter 51, in a second rendering

Doesn't Take the Credit

Dao De Kooi — an original rendering by David Kooi

The Dao brings things out. Character feeds them. The world gives them shape, the circumstances finish the job. So everything that exists has a kind of built-in respect for the Dao and for character - not because anyone ordered it, just because that's how it goes. The Dao makes things and doesn't own them, does the work and doesn't take the credit, leads and doesn't push people around. That quiet, hands-off kind of care - that's the deep version of strength.

Next · Chapter 52(The Tao) which originated all under the sky is to be considered as the mother of them all.Read chapter 52 →

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