When we renounce learning we have no troubles.The first line of Verse 20 is reminiscent of Verse 18, Lines 3-4 and Verse 19, Lines 1-2. What is it about acquiring knowledge that gets Lao Tzu in such a tizzy?
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~
Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~
Cease learning, no more worries
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~
Don't spend too much time thinking about stupid shit.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~
According to Derek Lin,
The blind pursuit of learning leads to excessive desires -- the more you see, the more you want. Excessive desires, in turn, leads to anxiety and misery.To view the Index page for this series to see what you may have missed or would like to read again, go here.
I understand this verse more in terms of practice. "Acquired" knowledge is not "Real "knowledge.
ReplyDeleteFo instance you could read a book about the movies of a particular director, read a lot of reviews (acquired knowledge) but unless you have seen any of his movies, it is meaningless.
Or, you can read about meditation or qigong, (acquired knowledge) but only practicing it brings real understanding and knowledge.
Well, there you go. It only underscores that there are numerous ways that any line in the TTC can be interpreted or understood.
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