and dull like muddy water.It's interesting that Ron Hogan's rendition states the opposite of the three translations. Opaque (impenetrable by light) is not the same thing as clarity.
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~
Opaque, like muddy pools.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~
Opaque, like muddy water
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~
and their hearts were as clear as spring water.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~
I'm going to turn to John Lash again because his explanation of this line really speaks to me.
The Tai Chi person is difficult for the world to understand. He follows no ordered pattern of behaviour. His action are not motivated by ambition or desire for possession but arise spontaneously from the free flow of nature. A world motivated by selfishness and greed will not be able to understand such a person.To view the Index page for this series to see what you may have missed or would like to read again, go here.
Yo, Rambling Taoist. I love chapter 15, having written about it many years ago -- and am delighted with YOUR interest.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is confusing that translations of that one line are seemingly opposite in meaning!
John Lash hits the nail on the head in his book Tai Chi. Nobody explains the Tao better. I start everyday with his book Essential Principles
ReplyDeleteScrap
I think Hogan is just jumping ahead a bit, conflating two lines; the idea is that in stillness the muddy becomes clear. There's nothing in the characters that has anything to do with spring water.
ReplyDelete