道德經第二章

Untitled, 1992, गुलाम रसूल संतोष (Ghulam Rasool Santosh, Indian, 1929–1997)

天下皆知美之為美，斯惡已。

皆知善之為善，斯不善已。

故有無相生，難易相成，長短相較，高下相傾，音聲相和，前後相隨。

是以聖人處無為之事，行不言之教；萬物作焉而不辭，生而不有。

為而不恃，功成而弗居。

夫唯弗居，是以不去。

Dao De Jing Chapter Two ― Alan B. Taplow 2. RELATIVENESS

    Beauty becomes recognized as beauty,

    As its difference from ugliness is seen.

    Likewise,

    Goodness and love become recognized,

    As their difference from evil and hatred is felt.

    The Relationship of:

    - Being and non-being is known through life and growth.

    - Difficult and easy is known through achievement and completion.

    - Long and short is known through form and contrast.

    - High and low is known through relationship and position.

    - Sound and voice is known through amplitude and harmony.

    - Front and behind is known through position and sequence.

    Thus:

    Wu-Wei graces the affairs of the Sage ― 

    Teaching gracefully, Without words.

    Receiving all happening as natural,

    Without needing to judge or control.

    Giving life and animation to all experience

    Without needing to dominate.

    Accomplishing, Without expecting a reward.

    In never assuming importance,

    When the Sage's work is complete,

    It remains, everlastingly.