Chapter 51 of the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching) elucidates the roles of Dao and De (Virtue) in the creation, nourishment, and evolution of all things, while emphasizing the principle of natural non-action (Wu Wei).
All things are produced by the Dao, and nourished by its outflowing operation. They receive their forms according to the nature of each, and are completed according to the circumstances of their condition. Therefore all things without exception honour the Dao, and exalt its outflowing operation.
This honouring of the Dao and exalting of its operation is not the result of any ordination, but always a spontaneous tribute.
Thus it is that the Dao produces (all things), nourishes them, brings them to their full growth, nurses them, completes them, matures them, maintains them, and overspreads them.
It produces them and makes no claim to the possession of them; it carries them through their processes and does not vaunt its ability in doing so; it brings them to maturity and exercises no control over them; – this is called its mysterious operation.
Note
Dao is the origin of all existence, embodying the universal laws and the primal force of creation. All things come to exist with their virtues(De) because of the Dao.
De manifests Dao’s power in sustaining and enriching life, acting as the bridge between cosmic principles and tangible reality. De nourishes all things.
Physical forms, internal potential energy and environmental conditions collaborate to actualize the potential of all beings. Matter shapes their forms; their internal energy and external circumstances complete their development.
The reverence for Dao and the honor for De arise not from command but from their constant alignment with nature.
Dao and De do not impose commands but allow things to flourish spontaneously. This reflects Laozi’s critique of human meddling in natural processes. To create without possessing, to act without claiming, to guide without controlling—this is called Profound Virtue(De).
Related Readings
Chapter 38: Regarded as a “prequel” to Chapter 51 for Chapter 38 introduces for the first time the concepts of “superior virtue” and “inferior virtue,” laying the foundation for Chapter 51’s in-depth exploration of the meaning of “revering the Way (Dao or Tao) and honoring virtue (De).”
Chapter 10: Forms an “echo” with Chapter 51. Both chapters mention the concept of “profound virtue” expressed as “give birth but not possess, act but not rely, guide but not control.” The former applies this to the micro-level of self-cultivation and governance, while the latter elevates it to a macro-level universal law governing all things in the cosmos.
Chapter 52: Serves as a “continuation” of Chapter 51. Chapter 52 builds directly on the idea of “revering the Way and honoring virtue,” further proposing the cultivation method of “blocking the openings and closing the doors.” It emphasizes safeguarding inner virtue by shutting out sensory desires.
道生之，德畜之，物形之，勢成之。是以萬物莫不尊道而貴德。道之尊，德之貴，夫莫之命常自然。故道生之，德畜之；長之育之；亭之毒之；養之覆之。生而不有，為而不恃，長而不宰，是謂玄德。
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