The grandest forms of active force From Tao come, their only source. Who can of Tao the nature tell? Our sight it flies, our touch as well. Eluding sight, eluding touch, The forms of things all in it crouch; Eluding touch, eluding sight, There are their semblances, all right. Profound it is, dark and obscure; Things' essences all there endure. Those essences the truth enfold Of what, when seen, shall then be told. Now it is so; 'twas so of old. Its name--what passes not away; So, in their beautiful array, Things form and never know decay. How know I that it is so with all the beauties of existing things? By this (nature of the Tao).Tao Te Ching 21.1 · Tao Te Ching
Tao Te Ching 21.1
Tao Te Ching · translated by James Legge
Themes in this passage
ImpermanencePatienceTruthDesireThe DivineThe SoulCreation
Impermanence in other traditions
The same theme, as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism address it.
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.Ecclesiastes 1:2 · Bible · Ecclesiastes
Lo! these love fleeting life, and put behind them (the remembrance of) a grievous day.Quran 76:27 · Quran · The Man
A creature's pleasures are extravagant and luxurious; sunk in lust and looking for pleasure, men undergo (again and again) birth and decay.Dhp 24.341 · Dhammapada · Thirst
Nachiketas said: O Death, these are fleeting; they weaken the vigour of all the senses in man. Even the longest life is short. Keep thou thy chariots, dance and music.Katha 65 · Upanishads · Katha-Upanishad
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