1. all things are produced by the tao, 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 tao, and exalt its outflowing operation.

2. this honouring of the tao and exalting of its operation is not the result of any ordination, but always a spontaneous tribute.

3. thus it is that the tao produces (all things), nourishes them, brings them to their full growth, nurses them, completes them, matures them, maintains them, and overspreads them.

4. 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.

道生之，德畜之，物形之，勢成之。

是以万物莫不尊道而貴德。

道之尊，德之貴，夫莫之命而常自然。

故道生之，德畜之；長之育之；成之熟之；養之覆之。生而不有，為而不恃，長而不宰。是謂玄德。

【译文】

道生化万物，德养育万物，万物纷呈其形，情势使其如此。因此，万物无不尊崇道而珍重德。道之所受尊崇，德之所受珍重，并不是因为什么强制与逼迫，而是平常自然如此。所以，道生化万物，德养育万物，使万物成长、发育，使万物自立、成熟，使万物都得到润养与庇护。生育它而不拘系自有，成就它而不执为仗恃，得尊重而不肆行主宰，这就叫做有了无限深厚的德。