51

"Dao gives birth to them; De nurtures them; Form shapes them; Circumstances make them. That is why all things revere Dao and honor De. Dao is revered, De is honored, Because they never give orders but always let things be. Thus Dao gives birth to all things, And De nurtures them— Raises and cultivates them, Mellows and matures them, Tends and shields them. Birthing but not possessing, Getting things done but not taking advantage, Leading but not dominating— This is called the Profound De."