Chapter 2

The World all knows
Beauty is as beauty does
Because there is ugly
All knows
Good is as good does
Because there is bad
Having and not having give birth to each other
Difficult and easy complete each other
Long and short shape each other
High and low lean toward each other
Sound and tone harmonise with each other
Before and after follow each other
Therefore the Sage
Handles affairs without acting
Conducts the teaching of no words
This makes the Many but does not begin
Gives birth but does not have
Acts but does not rely
Works but does not live
Since it does not live 
Therefore it does not leave