All in the world know the beauty of the beautiful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what ugliness is;

天下皆知美之为美，斯恶已；

they all know the skill of the skilful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what the want of skill is.

皆知善之为善，斯不善已。

So it is that existence and non-existence give birth the one to (the idea of) the other;

故有无相生，

that difficulty and ease produce the one (the idea of) the other;

难易相成，

that length and shortness fashion out the one the figure of the other;

长短相形，

that (the ideas of) height and lowness arise from the contrast of the one with the other;

高下相倾，

that the musical notes and tones become harmonious through the relation of one with another;

音声相和，

and that being before and behind give the idea of one following another.

前后相随。

Therefore the sage manages affairs without doing anything, and conveys his instructions without the use of speech.

是以圣人处无为之事，行不言之教，

All things spring up, and there is not one which declines to show itself;

万物作焉而不辞，

they grow, and there is no claim made for their ownership;

生而不有，

they go through their processes, and there is no expectation (of a reward for the results).

为而不恃，

The work is accomplished, and there is no resting in it (as an achievement).

功成而弗居。

The work is done, but how no one can see; 'Tis this that makes the power not cease to be.

夫惟弗居，是以不去。

《道德经》又名《老子》、《五千言》，相传是老子避祸出函谷关，应当地总兵尹喜之邀，留下的五千言文字。多为修身、治国、用兵、养生之道。