Line by Line - Verse 41, Line 10

Its greatest beauty seems to offend the eyes;
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

Great purity seems sullied;
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Great integrity appears like disgrace
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

Those who are most pure
seem to be grubby and soiled.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

When a person isn't out there hawking themselves, they have no need to be on airs. They aren't concerned with the latest hip fashions and they see no purpose in name-dropping. They are not consumed with amassing great wealth, being seen with the right people or forcing their agenda on anyone else.

They simply follow their path in a humble way.

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