Line by Line - Verse 23, Lines 5-6

If Heaven and Earth cannot make such (spasmodic) actings last long, how much less can man!
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

If heaven and Earth cannot make things eternal,
How is it possible for man?
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Even Heaven and Earth cannot make it last
How can humans?
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

If nature knows enough to give it a rest sometimes, so should you.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

We humans like to be in control or, at least, think we are in control of as many aspects of our lives as possible. Yet, no matter how powerful any person may be, none of us will escape death. Not one.

And it's not only death either. Every single day we face circumstances and situations of which we have little or no control over. Most are trivial, but some can be major life-altering events.

This merely is part of the package deal that comes with having a body and a self.

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