Saturday, June 23, 2012

Line by Line - Verse 73, Line 7

not to speak, and yet it is skilful in (obtaining a reply;
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

It does not speak, and yet is answered.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Does not speak and yet excels in responding
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

It acts silently, and it always reacts.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~
As Ron Hogan describes it, the mystery of existence is silent. It is ever present and yet erects no billboards to announce itself. It doesn't call press conferences or develop snazzy pr campaigns. It doesn't run for public office or call shareholder's meetings. It directs no one, but is fully in charge.

It. Simply. Is.

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

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