Chapter 51 · The Tao Nourishes All Things

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

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.

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.

Learn the Dao is a quiet practice for learning the thing that can’t be known — committing the Tao Te Ching to memory, one line at a time.

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Your recall — for example

All things are produced — missed by the Tao

The dotted words are the ones you missed.

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