Line by Line - Verse 36, Lines 1-2

When one is about to take an inspiration, he is sure to make a (previous) expiration;
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~

That which shrinks
Must first expand.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~

If one wishes to shrink it
One must first expand it
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~

To make something small,
you need to appreciate its size.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~

Here's something to think about. As Te-Ch'ing (quoted by Red Pine) see it,

Once things reach their limit, they go the other way. Hence lengthening is a portent of shortening.

In other words, we only can take things so far in this life. When we move beyond a certain point, the natural inclination moves in the opposite direction.

This is not to suggest that we can't grow in understanding and consciousness. But every step we take must be done in its own time. When we try to rush to reach the summit in one fell swoop, it almost is inevitable that we will go tumbling down the hill.

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