Therefore, what has a (positive) existence serves for profitable adaptation,
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~
Therefore benefit comes from what is there;
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~
Therefore, that which exists is used to create benefit
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~
We work with something,
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~
Here's what
Roshi Hogan (not the same person as Ron Hogan) has to say about this line and overall verse:
Sometimes what we do not have is as or more important than what we do have. It is because we do not have certain things like craving or greed, that we are able to have serenity. It is because we do not have desire for the material, that we can have the benefits of the natural. Be grateful for what you have, and what you do not.
To view the Index page for this series to see what you may have missed or would like to read again, go here.
yes, being present and dealing with what IS, and not with delusion and fantasy, this is the way of the Masters.
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