Line by Line - Verse 14, Line 3

We try to grasp it, and do not get hold of it, and we name it 'the Subtle'.
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

Grasp, it cannot be held - it is intangible.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Reach for it, it cannot be held
It is called formless
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

You can't hold on to Tao, no matter how hard you grab.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

One can't hold the essence of anything -- that elemental quality that makes something alive or have form. In this way, it's like trying to hold a shadow in your hand.

But what if the essence and form are the same thing? What if the thread of life is life itself? Maybe grasping any of the manifestations of life is the same as holding the essence of formlessness.

To view the Index page for this series to see what you may have missed or would like to read again, go here.