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"Way-making (dao) gives things their life, And their particular efficacy (de) is what nurtures them. Events shape them, And having a function consummates them. It is for this reason that all things (wanwu) honor way-making And esteem efficacy. As for the honor directed at way-making And the esteem directed at efficacy, It is really something that just happens spontaneously (ziran) Without anyone having ennobled them. Way-making gives them life and nurtures them, Rears and develops them. It brings them to fruition and maturation, Nourishes and guards over them. Way-making gives things life Yet does not manage them. It assists them Yet makes no claim upon them. It rears them Yet does not lord it over them. It is this that is called profound efficacy."
Author
Lao TzuAll Translations
"Way-making (dao) gives things their life, And their particular efficacy (de) is what nurtures them. Events shape them, And having a function consummates them. It is for this reason that all things (wanwu) honor way-making And esteem efficacy. As for the honor directed at way-making And the esteem directed at efficacy, It is really something that just happens spontaneously (ziran) Without anyone having ennobled them. Way-making gives them life and nurtures them, Rears and develops them. It brings them to fruition and maturation, Nourishes and guards over them. Way-making gives things life Yet does not manage them. It assists them Yet makes no claim upon them. It rears them Yet does not lord it over them. It is this that is called profound efficacy."