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).
From the moment of birth, humans enter the cycle of mortality. For most ordinary people, there was originally an equal chance of embracing vitality or succumbing to death. However, their subjective survival efforts—defying objective natural laws—paradoxically heighten their likelihood of demise. Only a few who skillfully navigate the dynamics of life and death can…
Without going outside his door, one understands (all that takes place) under the sky; without looking out from his window, one sees the Dao of Heaven. The farther that one goes out (from himself), the less he knows.Therefore the sages got their knowledge without travelling; gave their (right) names to things without seeing them;…
When the Dao prevails in the world, they send back their swift horses to (draw) the dung-carts. When the Dao is disregarded in the world, the war-horses breed in the border lands.There is no guilt greater than being desirable to others; no calamity greater than to be discontented with one’s lot; no fault greater…
The softest thing in the world dashes against and overcomes the hardest; that which has no (substantial) existence enters where there is no crevice. I know hereby what advantage belongs to doing nothing (with a purpose).There are few in the world who attain to the teaching without words, and the advantage arising from non-action.