Line by Line - Verse 29, Line 7

The course and nature of things is such that what was in front is now behind;
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

So sometimes things are ahead and sometimes they are behind;
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Because all things:
Either lead or follow
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

With Tao, you push forward
or maybe you stay behind.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

Every variable of this existence has its place in the overall scheme of things. Some variables come first, while others come last. Some are prominent, while others occupy the shadows. Some are celebrated and worshiped, while others are feared and denigrated.

However, if you look at all variables as being part of the perpetual cycle of existence, then this either/or dichotomy actually is a false one. Each variable is high or low, straight or crooked, or front or back depending on where it is in the cycle.

For example, at midday, the sun is high. At sunrise and sunset, it is low. At night, it disappears altogether, only to reappear the next day. As with everything else, the sun isn't ahead or behind, it is both!

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