Chapter 1
IndexWhen all under heaven recognize beauty as beauty, this in itself is ugliness.
When all recognize goodness as goodness, this in itself is not good.
Thus, being and non-being give birth to each other; difficult and easy complete each other; long and short contrast each other; high and low incline toward each other; sound and voice harmonize with each other; front and back follow each other.
Therefore, the sage manages affairs without action and conveys teachings without words. Ten thousand things arise, and he does not refuse them; they are born, but he does not possess them.
Acts without relying on it, achieves success but does not dwell on it.
Indeed, by not dwelling on it, thus it does not depart.