THE WAY IT IS
1: The Eternal and Unnameable Tao
The way it is
that can be spoken of
is not the way
it really is.
The name that can be named
is not the name of it.
It was from the nameless
that heaven and earth
came into being.
It was by the naming of names
that the multiplicity of things
came to be.
Truly is it said that
only he who frees himself
from all desires
sees the secret heart of things.
He who never frees himself
from his desires
sees only their appearances.
These are two different things,
originating from one sameness,
one with a name
and one without a name.
I call this sameness a mystery,
the mystery of mysteries,
the door to the secret heart of things.
2: The Order of Things
Only because everyone knows
what beauty is
is there ugliness.
Only because everyone knows
what goodness is
is there evil.
Likewise,
being and nothingness
give rise to each other,
difficult and easy,
long and short,
high and low,
are mutually dependent,
the voice and its tones harmonise,
and front and back
naturally go everywhere together.
Since this is so
the wise man acts by letting things alone
and teaches by saying nothing.
Whatever comes along
he accepts.
He does not own
what he creates.
He acts
without self-interest.
He expects no thanks
for doing good.
He expects no reward.
How rewarding!