《道德經》漢英對照2.1

天下皆知美之为美，斯恶已；皆知善之为善，斯不善矣。

When the people of the Earth all know beauty as beauty,

There arises (the recognition of) ugliness.

When the people of the Earth all know the good as good,

There arises (the recognition of) evil.

《道德經》漢英對照2.2

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。

Therefore:

Being and non-being interdepend in growth;

Difficult and easy interdepend in completion;

Long and short interdepend in contrast;

High and low interdepend in position;

Tones and voice interdepend in harmony;

Front and behind interdepend in company.

《道德經》漢英對照2.3

是以聖人處無為之事，行不言之教。

Therefore the Sage:

Manages affairs without action;

Preaches the doctrine without words。

《道德經》漢英對照2.4

萬物作焉而不辭，生而不有，為而不恃，功成而不居。

All things take their rise, but he does not turn away from them;

He gives them life, but does not take possession of them;

He acts, but does not appropriate;

Accomplishes, but claims no credit.

《道德經》漢英對照2.5

夫唯弗居，是以不去。

It is because he lays claim to no credit

That the credit cannot be taken away from him.