Line by Line - Verse 43, Line 3

that which has no (substantial) existence enters where there is no crevice.
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

That without substance can enter where there is no room.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

That which has no substance
Enters into that which has no openings
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

Something without substance
can pass through the space between atoms.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

Derek Lin does a good job of explaining this line.

Water seeps into and dissolves rocks; electricity flows through a block of metal. Thus, the intangible Tao can permeate all things, even if they appear to be solid, without any cracks or openings.

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