Chapter XX
(Chapter 20)

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Ko Yuen Translation

The Withdrawal from the Common Way

1. To forget learning is to end trouble.  The smallest difference in words, such as "yes" and "yea", can make endless controversy for the scholar1.  Fearful indeed is death, since all men fear it; but the abyss of questionings, shoreless and bottomless, is worse!
2. Consider the profane man, how he preeneth, as if at feast, or gazing upon Spring from a tower!  But as for me, I am as one who yawneth, without any trace of desire.  I am like a babe before its first smile.  I appear sad and forlorn, like a man homeless.  The profane man hath his need filled, ay, and more also.  For me, I seem to have lost all I had.  My mind is as it were stupefied; it hath no definite shape.  The profane man looketh lively and keen-witted; I alone appear blank in my mind.  They seem eagerly critical; I appear careless and without perception.  I seem to be as one adrift upon the sea, with no thought of an harbor.  The profane have each one his definite course of action; I alone appear useless and uncomprehending, like a man from the border.  Yea, thus I differ from all other men: but my jewel is the All-Mother2!

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S. Mitchell Translation

Stop thinking, and end your problems.
What difference between yes and no?
What difference between success and failure?
Must you value what others value,
avoid what others avoid?
How ridiculous!

Other people are excited,
as though they were at a parade.
I alone don't care,
I alone am expressionless,
like an infant before it can smile.

Other people have what they need;
I alone possess nothing.
I alone drift about,
like someone without a home.
I am like an idiot, my mind is so empty.

Other people are bright;
I alone am dark.
Other people are sharper;
I alone am dull.
Other people have a purpose;
I alone don't know.
I drift like a wave on the ocean,
I blow as aimless as the wind.

I am different from ordinary people.
I drink from the Great Mother's breasts.

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James Legge Translation

1. When we renounce learning we have no troubles.
The (ready) 'yes,' and (flattering) 'yea;'--
Small is the difference they display.
But mark their issues, good and ill;-
What space the gulf between shall fill?

What all men fear is indeed to be feared; but how wide and without end is the range of questions (asking to be discussed)!

2. The multitude of men look satisfied and pleased; as if enjoying a full banquet, as if mounted on a tower in spring.  I alone seem listless and still, my desires having as yet given no indication of their presence.  I am like an infant which has not yet smiled.  I look dejected and forlorn, as if I had no home to go to.  The multitude of men all have enough and to spare.  I alone seem to have lost everything.  My mind is that of a stupid man; I am in a state of chaos.

Ordinary men look bright and intelligent, while I alone seem to be benighted.  They look full of discrimination, while I alone am dull and confused.  I seem to be carried about as on the sea, drifting as if I had nowhere to rest.  All men have their spheres of action, while I alone seem dull and incapable, like a rude borderer.  (Thus) I alone am different from other men, but I value the nursing-mother (the Tao).

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GNL not Lao

Wandering

What is the difference between assent and denial?
What is the difference between beautiful and ugly?
What is the difference between fearsome and afraid?

The people are merry as if at a magnificent party
Or playing in the park at springtime,
But I am tranquil and wandering,
Like a newborn before it learns to smile,
Alone, with no true home.

The people have enough and to spare,
Where I have nothing,
And my heart is foolish,
Muddled and cloudy.

The people are bright and certain,
Where I am dim and confused;
The people are clever and wise,
Where I am dull and ignorant;
Aimless as a wave drifting over the sea,
Attached to nothing.

The people are busy with purpose,
Where I am impractical and rough;
I do not share the peoples' cares
But I am fed at nature's breast.

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Ko Yuen Commentary

1. Consider the "homoiousios -- homoiousios" quarrel of early Christianity.

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2. Cf. "Afloat in the aether, O my God, my God!"  Liber VII.  It is the "aimless winging" which gives "joy ineffable" to the self-supported Absolute.

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