五十一章

　　道生之，德畜之，物形之，器成之。是以万物莫不尊道而贵德。道之尊，德
之贵，夫莫之命而常自然。故道生之，德畜之。长之育之，亭之毒之，养之覆之
，生而不有，为而不恃，长而不宰，是谓玄德。

Chapter 51. Nurture

The Way bears all things;

Harmony nurtures them;

Nature shapes them;

Use completes them.

Each follows the Way and honours harmony,

Not by law,

But by being.

The Way bears, nurtures, shapes, completes,

Shelters, comforts, and makes a home for them.

Bearing without possessing,

Nurturing without taming,

Shaping without forcing,

This is harmony.