Chapter Two

What follows is my translation of Chapter 2:

 

When all beings come to know beauty as something beautiful

Then the distinction of ugliness comes in to being

When all beings come to know good as something good

Then the distinction of evil comes in to being

 

So it is that being and non-being mutually generate each other

Difficult and easy equally complete each other

Long and short equally form each other

High and low equally determine each other

Sound and melody equally unify each other

Before and after equally succeed each other

 

Therefore those of wisdom embrace doing without doing

Teach the doctrine without words

Embrace the ten thousand things without interrupting them

Act without attachment

Succeed without desire for results

It is because of no desire for results

Accomplishments last forever

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