☯️ All things arise

All things arise - teachings from the Tao Te Ching

Verses: 4

Verses

Verse 1

天下皆知美之為美,斯惡已

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

Verse 2

皆知善之為善,斯不善已

So it is that existence and non-existence give birth the one to (the idea of) the other; that difficulty and ease produce the one (the idea of) the other; that length and shortness fashion out the one the figure of the other; that (the ideas of) height and lowness arise from the contrast of the one with the other; that the musical notes and tones become harmonious through the relation of one with another; and that being before and behind give the idea of one following

Verse 3

故有無相生,難易相成

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

Verse 4

長短相形,高下相傾

All things spring up, and there is not one which declines to show itself; they grow, and there is no claim made for their ownership; they go through their processes, and there is no expectation (of a reward for the results). The work is accomplished, and there is no resting in it (as an achievement). The work is done, but how no one can see; 'Tis this that makes the power not cease to be.