Line by Line - Verse 35, Lines 3-5

Music and dainties will make the passing guest stop (for a time). But though the Tao as it comes from the mouth, seems insipid and has no flavour,
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

Passersby may stop for music and good food,
But a description of the Tao
Seems without substance or flavor.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

Music and food, passing travelers stop
The Tao that is spoken out of the mouth
Is bland and without flavor
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

People are often distracted by music or good food.
But when we try to talk about Tao,
it seems awfully boring.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

People always are on the lookout for the next new philosophy or school of spirituality. We want something that is exciting, glitzy, popular and creative. In essence, we want to be wowed!

Philosophical Taoism isn't gaudy. It makes no promises that you will become rich or powerful. It doesn't concern itself with becoming a popular trend. It focuses on simple and humble themes. As Ron Hogan phrases it, Taoism "seems awfully boring."

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