Observing appearance

We can all see beauty as beautiful,

just because we know ugly.

We can all recognize good as good,

only because we know the bad.

Everything and nothing create each other.

The easy and the difficult complement each other.

Long and short are defined.

High and low are balanced.

The before and after follow one another.

Thus, the wise man acts without acting and teaches without words.

There is no end to the evolution of myriad beings,

creating life without possessing it,

acting without expecting a return,

carrying out their mission without proclaiming victory;

because the wise do not seek merit,

and so the merit remains in him forever.