Tao Te Ching Chapter 51 – 養德 (道德經 第51章)
Paul PengShare
Tao Te Ching — Chapter 51: The Operation of the Dao in Nourishing Things
道德經 第五十一章 · 養德 · Lao Tzu · Bilingual Edition with Classical Commentaries
Original Text — 原文
English Translation — James Legge
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. As shown in Chapter 50, the one who truly nurtures life does so without grasping or forcing.
✦ Key Insight
Chapter 51 describes the complete cycle of the Dao’s creative action: it produces, nourishes, shapes, and completes all things. All things spontaneously honour the Dao — not because they are commanded to, but because it is their nature. The chapter closes with the three-part formula that appears also in Chapter 2 and Chapter 10: produce without possessing, act without vaunting, nurture without controlling. This is xuan de (玄德) — mysterious or dark virtue — the deepest expression of the Dao’s way.
Classical Commentaries — 古典注释
王弼注 Wang Bi's Commentary
Wang Bi explains the cycle: the Dao produces, virtue nourishes, matter shapes, circumstances complete. All things honour the Dao and value virtue. The Dao produces without possessing, acts without expecting, nurtures without controlling — this is mysterious virtue.
河上公注 Heshang Gong's Commentary
Heshang Gong describes how the Dao gives birth to all things. The One distributes the breath and nourishes them. The Dao not only gives life but nurtures, matures, and shelters things. It gives without claiming, acts without expecting return — this is mysterious virtue.
About the Author
Paul Peng
Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is the curator of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.
Read his full story →
