Beauty is only made beautiful by the presence of ugliness.

Goodness only seems good because of the bad.

Something and nothing depend on each other.

Easy and difficult contrast each other.

Long and short, above and below,

before and after, music and noise;

Things that seem opposite only exist because of each other.

So the most profound teachings are silent

and the most potent deeds are done without doing a thing.

Everything comes and goes and cannot be owned.

Give without asking for thanks and help without hoping for praise.

Work won't be spoiled if we don't try to claim its results.

Categories: Taoism Tao Te Ching