Line by Line - Verse 67, Line 1

All the world says that, while my Tao is great, it yet appears to be inferior (to other systems of teaching).
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

Everyone under heaven says that my Tao is great and beyond compare.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Everyone in the world calls my Tao great
As if it is beyond compare
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

Everywhere I go, people tell me,
"Tao is so powerful, so immense,
it's inconceivable!"
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

We sometimes come to lines in which the three translations above don't exactly jibe. When this happens, I like to look at other translations to get a better feel for the direction of the verse. With this tack in mind, let's see how other translators view Line 1 of Verse 67.

The world talks about honoring the Tao,
but you can't tell it from their actions.
~ John McDonald translation ~

Everywhere, they say the Way, our doctrine,
Is so very like detested folly;
~ R. B. Blackney translation ~

The whole world says that my way is vast and resembles nothing
~ D. C. Lau translation ~

To view the Index page for this series to see what you may have missed or would like to read again, go here.