dawei Posted September 3, 2017 Legge 24 He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm; he who stretches his legs does not walk (easily). (So), he who displays himself does not shine; he who asserts his own views is not distinguished; he who vaunts himself does not find his merit acknowledged; he who is self- conceited has no superiority allowed to him. Such conditions, viewed from the standpoint of the Tao, are like remnants of food, or a tumour on the body, which all dislike. Hence those who pursue (the course) of the Tao do not adopt and allow them. Lau 24 He who tiptoes cannot stand; he who strides cannot walk. He who shows himself is not conspicuous; He who considers himself right is not illustrious; He who brags will have no merit; He who boasts will not endure. From the point of view of the way these are 'excessive food and useless excresences'. As there are Things that detest them, he who has the way does not abide in them. Feng/English 24 He who stands on tiptoe is not steady. He who strides cannot maintain the pace. He who makes a show is not enlightened. He who is self-righteous is not respected. He who boasts achieves nothing. He who brags will not endure. According to followers of the Tao, "These are extra food and unnecessary luggage." They do not bring happiness. therefore followers of the Tao avoid them. Jonathan Star 24 On his tiptoes a man is not steady Taking long strides he cannot keep pace To the self-serving, nothing shines forth To the self-promoting, nothing is distinguished To the self-appointing, nothing bears fruit To the self-righteous, nothing endures From the viewpoint of Tao, this self-indulgence is like rotting food and painful growths on the body ? Things that all creatures despise So why hold onto them? When walking the paths of Tao this is the very stuff that must be uprooted, thrown out, and left behind Flowing Hands 24 He who stands on tiptoe can never be stable. He who strides can never maintain the pace. He who makes a show is not enlightened. He who is self-righteous cannot be respected. He who boasts achieves nothing. He who brags will not endure. According to followers of the Dao; “these are excessive food and unnecessary baggage”. They can never bring happiness. Therefore followers of the Dao avoid them. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted September 3, 2017 One of my favorite "everyday" concepts. I use the word "extreme" more than I use "excessive" but the concept remains the same. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonesboy Posted September 3, 2017 Feng/English 24 He who stands on tiptoe is not steady. He who strides cannot maintain the pace. This is a warning about trying to hard, trying to force things. It's not a doing but a being. He who makes a show is not enlightened. He who is self-righteous is not respected. He who boasts achieves nothing. He who brags will not endure. According to followers of the Tao, "These are extra food and unnecessary luggage." . Each of these are examples of our ego. Of our attachments or you could say it is "unnecessary luggage." "They do not bring happiness therefore followers of the Tao avoid them." 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spotless Posted September 3, 2017 (edited) Many or all of the meanings are fairly obvious - much of what is gleaned is in the last sentence or two: Avoid - Avoidance - is a resistance stance - in a sense a trivializing of the message - and perhaps a glint of light is shed upon the translators bias or tendency of personality. Not abiding in them - a far deeper messaging - humans abide in these things - they are born with proclivity in these behaviors. We will be in them and not be in them - avoiding is a house set against itself. Gentle non abidance / non participation in these inertias - intentional suffering in self facing uprooting - one can "have the way" and move from abidance in these brandishings and the weights of conceit without avoidance - avoidance is putting ones head in the sand and "keeping oneself untouched". We are touched - the unborn exists spotless within the All and everything - not exclusive to itself. Edited September 4, 2017 by Spotless 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff Posted September 4, 2017 Chapter 24 seems pretty self explanatory... Balance yourself and your energies. Quiet your mind and your mouth will quiet with it. All followers of the Dao, know there is no point to self aggrandizement. Just chill, and reside. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sketch Posted October 7, 2020 Verse Twenty Four Stretching out one toe Is not standing. Taking a step is not walking. The person looking is not seeing themself. The person who exists is not obvious. The self centered person does not last longer. Those who seek themselves seek nothing. Following the trail is like this as well. Telling me that there’s a buffet is useless - we can all see the table full of food. Could be good, could be a problem, The road doesn’t go to those places. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manitou Posted October 7, 2020 I love that translation, Sketch. Each one of those phrases is a meditation in itself. My personal fave? 'The person who exists is not obvious'. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
