道二 - Tao Chapter 02

天下皆知美之为美 恶已

皆知善 斯不善矣

有 无之相生也

难 易之相成也

长 短之相形也

高 下之相盈也

音 声之相和也

先 后之相随

恒也

是以圣人居无为之事 行不言之教

万物作而弗始也 为而弗恃也 成功而弗居也

夫唯弗居 是以弗去

天下都知道美之所以叫美，已经有了恶。都知道善，这就是不善。有的定义，从无而生成。难的定义，从简单的完成而来。长的定义，从短的形状而来。高的定义，从下的盈满而来。音的定义，从声的应和而来。先的定义，从后的跟随而来。这些是持久的定义。所以通达事理的人做事的时候不会想着自己的付出、对结果有诉求“一定要把事办成”（安在无为），教化的时候也不需要夸夸其谈。世间万物生生不息、此消彼长，兴发而没有起始（和终结），不需要依靠也可以有所作为，获得成就也不就地停留。因为不会在一个地方停留，也就无所谓离去。

---

All in the world know that beauty is called beauty, there is already ugliness. All know good, this is not good. Some definitions come from nothingness. Difficult definitions come from simple completions. Long definitions come from short shapes. High definitions come from low fullness. Sound definitions come from harmonious sounds. Prior definitions come from following. These are enduring definitions. Therefore, those who understand principles do not think about their own efforts or have expectations for results when they act (therefore they are able to achieve without doing), and when teaching, they do not need to boast. All things in the world are constantly changing, with this dying out and that flourishing, arising and not having a beginning (or an end). They can accomplish things without relying on them and achieve success without dwelling in one place. Because they do not dwell in one place, there is no need to worry about leaving.