Taoism

Chapter2— The Nourishment of the Person

◆ About this chapter

Chapter Two of the Tao Te Ching explores the dialectical relationship between apparent opposites, arguing that concepts such as beauty and ugliness or skill and clumsiness are mutually dependent rather than absolute. By demonstrating how the pursuit of one side inevitably generates its counterpart, Laozi critiques the human tendency to cling to dualistic distinctions and advocates for a return to the undifferentiated Tao. Situated early in the text, this chapter establishes the foundational metaphysical framework for the work, guiding the reader toward a perspective of non-action and natural harmony.

Translation:

About this translation

King James Version (1611)

1611 · Public domain

The most influential English translation ever made. Sometimes archaic, but the standard PD English text.

Translators commissioned by King James I of England, 1604–1611

All in the world know the beauty of the beautiful, and in doing this they have the idea of what ugliness is; they all know the skill of the skilful, and in doing this they have the idea of what the want of skill is.The Still Small Voice ²So it is that existence and non-existence give birth the one to the other; that difficulty and ease produce the one the idea of the other; that length and shortness fashion out the one the figure of the other.

This chapter appears in 1 cross-tradition parallel

Comparative studies that quote one or more verses from this chapter alongside passages from other traditions.

The Still Small Voicev1

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Chapter Discussion

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What in this chapter surprised you, or stopped you?
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— 2 —sacredatlas.org