Line by Line - Verse 50, Lines 4-6

There are also three in every ten whose aim is to live, but whose movements tend to the land (or place) of death. And for what reason? Because of their excessive endeavors to perpetuate life.
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

And men just passing from birth to death also number three in ten.
Why is this so?
Because they live their lives on the gross level.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Those whose lives are moved toward death
Also three in ten
Why? Because they live lives of excess
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

Their bodies are the focus of their lives
and the source of their death,
because they think a healthy body
is all there is to life.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

Derek Lin uses the word overindulgence and John Lash uses self-gratification to underscore the meaning of these lines. When our sole focus in life is on satisfying our short and long-term desires, we tend to resemble the proverbial candle burning bright at BOTH ends simultaneously. While we may enjoy the heat, we quickly discover the flame doesn't last all that long.

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