Line by Line - Verse 50, Lines 7-9

But I have heard that he who is skilful in managing the life entrusted to him for a time travels on the land without having to shun rhinoceros or tiger, and enters a host without having to avoid buff coat or sharp weapon.
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

He who knows how to live can walk abroad
Without fear of rhinoceros or tiger.
He will not be wounded in battle.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

I've heard of those who are good at cultivating life
Traveling on the road, they do not encounter rhinos or tigers
Entering into an army, they are not harmed by weapons
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

Lao Tzu used to say
a man who truly understood life
could walk through the jungle
without fear
or across a battlefield
without armor, totally unarmed.
Wild animals and weapons couldn't kill him.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

I don't know about you, but I certainly don't interpret these lines literally. If I was walking in the wild and encountered a charging rhino or tiger, I would be truly frightened. The same could be said if someone pointed a loaded gun at me!

What I think Lao Tzu is trying to get across is that, when we take care to size up the situation and circumstances in order to avoid problems BEFORE they present themselves, there is a far less chance we will encounter them later on.

For example, if a person understands the behavior and feeding patterns of wild animals, you avoid direct confrontations. You walk in the bush when they are less likely to be around. Even if you might somehow come across one, by knowing how to react to the situation, you often can escape unscathed.

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