Line by Line - Verse 9, Line 6

to withdraw into obscurity is the way of Heaven.
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

This is the way of heaven.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

This is the Tao of Heaven
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

Anything else will drive you nuts.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

Wang Chen, as quoted in the book, The Tao of Peace, writes:

When Lao-tzu speaks about withdrawing, it doesn't invariably mean that a person must abandon his position but rather that he should not possess the achievements.

Just like Tao, if we treat the ten thousands things with impartiality, there is no need to claim glory nor be desirous of fame.

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