ChiDragon Posted March 21, 2013 Just seems like one in ten is a bit on the high side. So, you did understand the hidden message of Chapter 50. Nice, that makes me feel good that the translation went through.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harmonious Emptiness Posted March 21, 2013 (edited) 夫何故 There is one who is unlike these others 以其生生之厚 because he thrives on deep and magnanimous 厚friendship blossoming [in his heart] 蓋聞善攝生者 Affixing, and protecting within, the good善 known by all, he grasps and understands the secret of all life (lit.: cover, understand, great good, absorb, life, + particle to create adverb) 陸行不遇兕虎 Walking the earth without encountering tiger or rhinoceros 入軍不被甲兵 Passing through a battalion without wearing a soldier’s armour .... This 厚 deep friendship guarded within allows him to know when he is trespassing on others. I think this applies to encountering animals in the wild as well. If they see you are not a threat, nor want to encroach on their boundaries/personal space, and you are not afraid for yourself (which leads to defensive response), you are less likely to be perceived as a threat. Not being afraid for yourself also shows courage which can protect from predators. This is, in a way, giving up the ego, which some perceive as part of, or the meaning of, resurrection. This idea is also reflected in Chapter Eight with the lines: (my translations) 10 正善治, zhèng shàn zhì, It is of the utmost importance that kindness is the guiding power 11 事善能, shì shàn néng, In business, kindness brings success 12 動善時。 dòng shàn shí。 In movement, kindness brings good timing 13 夫唯不爭, fú wéi bù zhēng, So it is understood thereby, that not being selfish 14 故無尤。 gù wú yóu。 There will be no mistakes (again, see my PPD for the rest of the translation) Edited March 21, 2013 by Harmonious Emptiness Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChiDragon Posted March 21, 2013 It's not stated explicitly as "one in ten." ME.... Yes, it did. In classic, it was written in metaphor. That is the fun part about reading the classic; it is just like a riddle. You said, sometime ago, that you want to learn how to read classic. Now, it's your chance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harmonious Emptiness Posted March 21, 2013 (edited) ME.... Yes, it did. In classic, it was written in metaphor. That is the fun part about reading the classic; it is just like a riddle. You said, sometime ago, that you want to learn how to read classic. Now, it's your chance. Well, exactly. 夫 can mean a number of things, but is constructed by a picture of a person 大 (with outstretched arms, usually meaning great) and 一one/alone. So it's still sort of there deeper in the words of the phrase, while not "explicitly" stated. It's difficult to make a direct translation of what turns out like: "夫not 何which hence故 ." Is this what you meant? Edited March 21, 2013 by Harmonious Emptiness Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChiDragon Posted March 21, 2013 (edited) Again, you are making the same mistake by breaking down the character to radicals. In classic, 夫 means "therefore" if put in front of a phrase. BTW You will not find this definition in the modern non-Chinese dictionary. Again, you cannot learn this character on your own without additional help. It took me months to research this character to come to this conclusion. One didn't know this definition; but it doesn't mean it is not. BTW The character doesn't use in this manner, anymore, in the modern Chinese language. Edited March 21, 2013 by ChiDragon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harmonious Emptiness Posted March 21, 2013 Again, you are making the same mistake by breaking down the character to radicals. Well it literally means "adult male" so I don't think that particular analysis was out of place. In classic, 夫 means "therefore" if put in front of a phrase. BTW You will not find this definition in the modern non-Chinese dictionary. it is a versatile character, but yes, I am aware of that definition as well. Again, you cannot learn this character on your own without additional help. It took me months to research this character to come to this conclusion. One didn't know this definition; but it doesn't mean it is not. BTW The character doesn't use in this manner, anymore, in the modern Chinese language. Its a matter of searching to find its use in many different contexts which can be done online. I think if we wish to continue this it would be best looked at in the TTB "Chinese Language" forum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
