Line by Line - Verse 69, Line 3

I do not dare to advance an inch; I prefer to retire a foot.'
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

I dare not advance an inch but would rather withdraw a foot.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

I dare not advance an inch, but prefer to withdraw a foot
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

I'd rather retreat a foot than try to advance an inch."
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

Here's how John Lash interprets this line in terms of Tai Chi.

The Tai Chi person does not meet the aggressor's attack with strength, but rather he withdraws so the opponent has nothing to stop his momentum. His momentum makes him lose his balance as he finds no resistance, and it is then that the Tai Chi person strikes. There are no attacks in Tai Chi.

Sounds like a good way for each of us to live our lives!

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