34. The Great Way
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
大道泛兮,其可左右。
English translation
The great Way flows everywhere; it can move to the left or to the right.
The Way is not confined to one direction or domain. Its working reaches everywhere.
Original Chinese text
万物恃之而生而不辞,功成不名有。
English translation
All things depend on it for life, and it never turns them away. Its work is completed, yet it does not claim the achievement as its own.
The Way sustains life without seeking credit or ownership.
Original Chinese text
衣养万物而不为主,常无欲,可名于小;万物归焉,而不为主,可名为大。
English translation
It clothes and nourishes all things, yet does not rule them. Always without desire, it may be called small. All things return to it, yet it does not rule them; it may be called great.
It is called small because it does not assert itself, and great because everything depends on it.
Original Chinese text
以其终不自为大,故能成其大。
English translation
Because it never regards itself as great, it is able to fulfill its greatness.
Greatness here comes from what is accomplished, not from self-importance.