The Way gives birth to them and Virtue nourishes them;
Substance gives them form and their unique capacities complete them.
Therefore the ten thousand things venerate the Way and honor Virtue.
As for their veneration of the Way and their honoring of Virtue --
No one rewards them for it; it's constantly so on its own.

The Way gives birth to them, nourishes them, matures them, completes them, rests them, rears them, supports them, and protects them.
It gives birth to them but doesn't try to own them;
It acts on their behalf but doesn't make them dependent;
It matures them but doesn't rule them.
This we call Profound Virtue.