Thirty-Four


Great Tao flows everywhere,
left and right, all directions.

The ten thousand things depend on it,
and it does not turn away.
Its purpose is fulfilled, but it lays no claim.

It clothes and nourishes the ten thousand things,
but is not their lord.
It desires nothing.
It is smaller than small.

The ten thousand things return to it,
but it is not their master.
It is indeed great.
Because it knows nothing of greatness,
it is greater than great.